Show Notes
In this episode, Father Shannon shares a deeply personal and recent story about being denied Communion by a Catholic priest despite identifying as Catholic himself and serving as an ordained priest in the Old Catholic tradition. Reflecting on the pain and rejection that surfaced in this encounter, Fr. Shannon explores how bad theology hurts people. He also reflects on how healing is never linear, and even if you have done the work to heal old wounds, they can still open up again. There is so much institutional rejection in Christian spaces but it’s important to remember that no priest, pastor, or church authority can separate queer and trans people from God. And, as always, the importance of a supportive community, spiritual practices that nourish us, and the liberating truth that the kin-dom of God is already alive among queer and trans communities, is something you can wholeheartedly believe. For anyone navigating religious trauma, exclusion, or the ongoing journey of healing and reclaiming faith; you are welcome at God’s table. You belong and are loved.
Resources:
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More from Queer Theology
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It’s a special episode this week as we celebrate the launch of our brand-new book, “Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes: Good News for LGBTQ+ People from Genesis to Revelation.” We have been doing this work for more than a decade and we’re super excited to finally see it in book form! If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll know we’ve always been big proponents of storytelling, telling YOUR story, and approaching Scripture through a queer lens. In this book we explore how moving beyond defensiveness and moving toward joy, wonder, and deeper spiritual insight brings a richer understanding of Scripture. The book is available for pre-order now and releases December 1 in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. There are also some pre-order bonuses as a thank you for being part of this journey with us and for helping us share a message of queer joy, spiritual possibility, and good queer gospel with the world! Resources:
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