October 8, 2021
by
Maggie Annkel
<div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><h3 class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span style=background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.008px; class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Families </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>With</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> Dignity </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Group </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Offers </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Help to Those Fired </span></span><span style=background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.008px; class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335551550":2"335551620":2}></span><span style=background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.008px; class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none>From Catholic Institutions for Being Who They Are</span><span style=background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.008px; class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335551550":2"335551620":2}> </span></span></h3><h4 class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.008px; color: #000000; class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span></span></h4></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><strong><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>DETROIT (Sept. 28</span></strong><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0><strong> 2021)</strong> -- </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Families With Dignity (FWD) formerly Fortunate Families Detroit </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>is</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> begin</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>ning</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> a program of </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>solace and</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> financial</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>help</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> for employees of Catholic institutions </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>in the Archdiocese of Detroit </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>who have been fired for entering into same-sex marriages for being LGBTQ+ or for</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> openly</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> showing support for </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>those who are.</span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> In announcing the program called </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Love Always Wins</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>FWD president Linda </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Karle</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>-</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Nelson</span></span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none> </span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>cited the group's formal mission statement </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>which includes an account of the day March 14 2020 when the Archdiocese of Detroit fired the group by stating it was forbidden to meet in any church chapel or institution of the </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>a</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>rchdiocese and indeed to meet anywhere at all within the boundaries of the </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>a</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>rchdiocese.</span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none> </span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> Well never forget the outpouring of love support and good wishes that came our way from all directions in the U.S. but also from Catholics in Europe and </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>elsewhere </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>who read about our situation </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Karle</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>-</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Nelson</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> says. </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>It meant so much. </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>We couldnt stay depressed long</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>and we didnt. We rewrote our Mission Statement </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>to </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>express our love for the church while rejecting its treatment of LGBTQ people and the language it uses </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>to describe their lives.</span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Our new program</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Karle</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>-</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Nelson</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> says </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>is intended to pass on the love we received</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>to those who are dismissed from </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Catholic</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> employment for being who they are</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>. This will </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>include a gift of money and also any additional assistance we are asked for and in a position to provide or suggest. Im sure </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>the program</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> will evolve over time.</span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> Were thrilled </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>that the leaders of Dignity USA and Dignity Detroit with whom</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> were formally affiliated have not only approved </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Love Always Wins</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>but have offered to collaborate with us. </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Together we are stronger! </span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> Karle</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>-</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Nelson</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> said that </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>FWDs initial goal is to raise $5000. That isnt a huge sum these days she said but it will enable us to </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>begin approaching </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>several </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>folks who have undergone the shock</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> and</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> grief of being fired for being who they are.</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Those </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>wishing to</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>join</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> FWD</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> in expressing love</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> and support</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> for </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>employees fired by Catholic institutions </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>are </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>invited to </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>contribute here: </span></span><a href=https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fired-church-workers><span style=color: #000000; class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}></span></a></span></p><h3 class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #0000ff;><a href=https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fired-church-workers><span style=color: #0000ff; class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Support Today</span></span></a></span></h3></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0></span></span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div><div class=OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW81810020><p class=Paragraph SCXW81810020 BCX0><span style=color: #000000;><span class=TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto></span><strong><a class=Hyperlink SCXW81810020 BCX0 href=http://familieswithdignity.org/ target=_blank><span style=color: #000000; class=TextRun Underlined SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=none><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-charstyle=Hyperlink>Families with Dignity</span></span></a></strong><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0> is a Catholic ministry that supports the LGBTQ+ community and families by promoting equality and inclusion among all people and by sharing personal stories. Based in Detroit it has been expelled from Catholic facilities by the Catholic Archdiocese of Det</span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>roit. </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Undaunted it vows to continue </span></span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>advocating for the welcome and full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the </span><span class=NormalTextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0>Catholic</span></span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto> </span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto>Church</span><span class=TextRun SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-contrast=auto> and for justice and equality for the many LGBTQ+ people in churches schools and other workplaces.</span><span class=EOP SCXW81810020 BCX0 data-ccp-props={"335559740":360}> </span></span></p></div>
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