page 6
Gay Peoples Chronicle
NAVIS COVERAGE CONTINUED
on
Besides the letters page 5 relating to the Bob Navis case and directly to our coverage of it, we are publishing on these two pag es more materials connected with Navis' experience, but less directly related to The Chronicle.
On the facing page we have printed John O'Connor's open letter to Bishop Pilla, of which he sent us a copy. Although it is understandably very long we thought the issues O'Connor raises and his very poignant description of the problems faced by a gay person who is a practicng Catholic were so important that we printed his letter without any cuts.
On this page, we print two items.
One is a letter that Navis received from a young woman recently graduated from
Is
high school. Her letter speaks for itself. We have withheld her name, and left. out a few passages that would provide clues to her
The second item is an article that was submitted to the Plain Dealer, but was not accepted. Its author then sent us a copy, which we decided to print. Because he is employed by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, cannot be identified.
he
Besides their relevance to the Navis case, and their intrinsic worth, we think both these items have a further importance. Written by nongay people, they illustrate a fact that is sometimes forgotten. Many straight people sympathise with us, and will support us as they can, if they know who we are.
There Hypocrisy
Editor
in the Roman Catholic Church?
BY A NONGAY EMPLOYEE OF THE CLEVELAND CATHOLIC DIOCESE WHOSE NAME MUST BE WITHHELD
The Roman Catholic Church unquestionably has done--and continues to do--much good in sensitizing people's conScience about the vulnerable and disadvantaged among us. And, in many cases, Catholic laity (and a few clergy and nuns translate their beliefs into social and political action to benefit the powerless.
However, the Church--espe-
cially its officials and hierarchy, sometimes reveals its flawed humanity, unveiling a certain hypocrisy that compromises its integrity and credibility.
Perhaps the best example is official Church teaching supporting the labor movement and unionism. In reality, the Church--at least covertly--often gives at least tacit approval to attempts to undermine unionization among its own employees. This is especially true at some Catholic hospitals and, in recent months, with workers employed by the Cleveland diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society, where unionization was scuttled.
In short, the Church--on more than a few occasions-does not practice what it preaches, acting in an uncharitable and un-Christian manner toward people it em-
ploys, especially in cases where it fires its own workers.
a
For example, on June 7 the Cleveland Catholic Diocese fired Robert Navis, Jr.,. homosexual who taught at Erieview Catholic High School six years.
In a news release relating to the firing, Benedictine Sister Christine Vladimiroff, diocesan secretary for education, expressed noblesounding words, saying the Church has attempted to be sensitive and pastoral in this situation, and that "those who experience this [homosexual] orientation are not to be maligned.
Yet, her alleged sensitivity does not conceal the harsh reality that Sister Christine threw Mr. Navis out of work. Why did he lose his job?
Was it because his work record at Erieview was inferior?
Hardly.
In an April 24 April 24 news release promoting, promoting upcoming performances of The Wiz at Erieview, Humility of Mary Sister Mary Rita Crookston, principal, referred to Mr. Navis's production the previous year of Godspell and Don't Bother Me, Bother Me, I Can't Can't Cope. She wrote that people who saw those productions were amazed at how beautiful and professional" the performances were.
ANDREW PETER BEEBE, PH.D
PSYCHOLOGIST
2460 FAIRMOUNT BLVD.
SUITE 323
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO 44106
(216) 229-4290
1836 Euclid Avenue, Suite 206 Cleveland, Ohio
August 1985
High Schooler Applauds Navis
[Although this letter was written to Bob Navis, we agree with him that it should be shared with the community.]
Dear Mr. Navis,
...I just graduated from Magnificat High School. I read an article about you in the Plain Dealer and just feel I have to write to you and tell you how much I admire you.
I cannot tell you that I understand what you are facing, because I really do not, but I can tell you a bout some very close friends of mine that are gay and have gone through a very trying senior year because of it. Other guys at school have insulted them, vandalized their personal possess ions and homes, and harassed their families. I have often talked to them and seen them close to tears because of all the problems at school.
None of these guys has ever admitted at school that he is gay, but somehow talk got around, and now everyone assumes that they are. Only
No, it's not that Mr. Navis didn't do an outstanding job at Erieview. The reason he was fired, quite simply, is that Mr. Navis does not fit the rigid mold which the Church says every unique human being must fit info, regarding his or her private sexual relationships.
One other point underscores the Church's hypocrisy.
Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, who heads the Cleveland diocese, has said that corporations which are forced by economic factors to throw employees out of work, neyertheless have a "morál obligation" to help these workers find new jobs. That's all well and good, but did the bishop (or Sister Christine) offer Mr. Navis any help in finding a new job?
No.
(One wonders if Bishop Pilla or Sister Christine would be so "sensitive and pastoral" toward the unemployed if, let's say, the GM Coit Road plant fired only those workers living in a homosexual relationship).
In a speech at the City Club in May, Rev. William Sloane Coffin, the noted civil rights and anti-war clergyman from Riverside Church in New York City, indicated churches in the U.S. need to set a better example along the lines of the Cath-
JOY B. SAVREN Attorney at Law
I and a few other close friends really know the truth, but it has still been a long, hard school year for all of them. I have often felt a great deal of sympathy for them when things were especially tough, and I have often told them how much courage I think they have, going to school day after day and facing all the insults and abuse.
That is why I admire you. You have the courage to let the public know that you are gay and you are willing to fight against this discrimination because of your sexual preference.
As I said earlier, I can not really understand what you are dealing with. I am straight. I am only 17 and have not seen enough of the world yet to feel that any of my experiences are in any way comparable to yours. But you seem to be one of the greatest people I have heard about in a long time. I wish you all the best in your battle with the Diocese and I am praying earnestly for your success.
ca.
Name Withheld
"Example is the best form of teaching," said Rev. Cof-
fin.
What kind of Christian example is the Catholic Church in Cleveland setting, by depriving Mr. Navis of his livelihood?
Rather than worry so much about what some Catholics might say about allowing Mr. Navis to continue his good work at Erieview, perhaps it would be more appropriate for Church officials--Bishop Pilla and Sister Christine--
to put themselves in Christ's sandals and ask themselves, "Does Mr. Navis deserve to lose his job?"
Isn't it about time certain official "Christians" begin to act more like their Savior, rather than piously and simplistically mouth His philosopny?
It seems to me that the Roman Catholic Church would be more credible and Christian if it recognized the reality that some people--for whatever reasons--have a strong attraction to people of the same sex, and that these desires are not "deliberate, as Sister Christine said in her news release.
Will the Catholic Church ever realize that where sexual feelings are mutual, it is part of human nature to express these feelings? expresubt es
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