Gays and Grays
The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish
By (author) Donal Godfrey
Publication date:
20 July 2007Length of book:
208 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksDimensions:
236x159mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780739119372
Gays and Grays tells the story of a unique Catholic parish. Most Holy Redeemer Parish in San Francisco is in the center of the world's first gay neighborhood, The Castro. This parish was the center of the hostility to the arriving gay population in the 1970s; but paradoxically was itself transformed into a welcoming parish. The old time parishioners, "the gray," bonded with the new comers, "the gay, " particularly in a joint compassionate response to the crisis of AIDS. A charismatic pastor, FR Tony McGuire also played a key role in the transformation of this interesting parish. Most Holy Redeemer was changed from a dying parish to a vital place where gay and straight people together created something new.
Father Donal Godfrey shows how this parish became prophetic and compassionate, through conflict and compromise at times; despite opposition from many sources, including the institutionalized homophobia of the church and society. Rather than becoming embittered, the parish opened up to be a place of healing and indeed sanctuary for many. This book tells this fascinating story and why it is significant beyond the scope of San Francisco. Most Holy Redeemer is a place which has remained within the institution while at the same time challenging it with grace and humor. This accessible and moving book is appropriate for all levels of students of congregational studies, Sociology of Religion, Gay or Queer Studies and Religion courses.
Father Donal Godfrey shows how this parish became prophetic and compassionate, through conflict and compromise at times; despite opposition from many sources, including the institutionalized homophobia of the church and society. Rather than becoming embittered, the parish opened up to be a place of healing and indeed sanctuary for many. This book tells this fascinating story and why it is significant beyond the scope of San Francisco. Most Holy Redeemer is a place which has remained within the institution while at the same time challenging it with grace and humor. This accessible and moving book is appropriate for all levels of students of congregational studies, Sociology of Religion, Gay or Queer Studies and Religion courses.
Gays and Grays is a fascinating history of a congregation in a changing neighborhood that decides to continue ministering to its existing congregation (the grays) while including a radically new constituency (the gays), and grow numerically in the process. In some ways this book could be a handbook on organizational change: Godfrey gives the reader intimate details of the step by step process through which the leadership of the congregation, clergy and lay, took initiative, resisted restraining forces, and stayed faithful to its missions (to gay and gray). What is special about this book is that it does not see change as happening through a single denouement that sets everything on the path to fulfillment; rather it documents the many, many actions and accomplishments needed to finally add up to significant change. The book is rich with understanding of the various voices within the gay community, the complexity of the Catholic Church (including the Archdiocese and Rome), and the interconnectedness of this congregation with other churches and groups with the community. If you’re looking for a good read, deeper understanding of the gay community in San Francisco, how to initiate and carry out change in a congregation, this is the book for you.