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A devoted advocate for gay and lesbian Catholics, Father Robert Nugent, SDS, has passed away. Nugent is known for co-founding New Ways Ministry, an organization that cares for gay and lesbian Catholics.
A blog on the New Ways website shared the news of his passing, which took place on January 1, 2014, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He had been suffering from brain cancer for three months. Read full text here
HUff Post Religion Page including slideshow of Most Inspiring LGBT Religious Leaders
Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s Executive Director, reflected on the impact of Father Nugent’s life:“When New Ways Ministry informed its supporters of Fr. Nugent’s illness, hundreds of cards and notes expressing gratitude and encouragement flooded his hospice room. At the end, he knew he was loved and cared for by so, so many on his final journey.
“While we at New Ways Ministry are sad that we will no longer experience his sharp mind, his warm heart, and his delightful wit, we are comforted by the fact that his impact will live on in the lives of those he touched and in the Catholic Church’s continued renewal of its welcome and commitment to its lesbian and gay members–a renewal that he played such a large role in effecting. We now have another saint to whom we can pray for LGBT equality and justice.”
The Rev. James Martin, S.J., editor-at-large at Catholic magazine America, commented:
I always admired Father Nugent's pioneering work with gay and lesbian Catholics; along with Sister Jeannine Gramick he helped many thousands of people feel more welcome in their church. But I admired just as much his fidelity to his vow of obedience. In a complicated time, Father Nugent navigated a course between justice and fidelity with enormous grace and trust in God. All Catholics--not just gays and lesbians --owe him a debt of gratitude. May he rest in peace.
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