To: The Most Rev. Robert Finn, Catholic Bishop of Kansas City
Church stops woman from feeding the hungry - just because she's gay
At a time when Pope Francis and leading bishops are calling for a new tone, it is cruel and discriminatory to fire a dedicated Christian servant because she is in a loving, committed relationship with another woman. We call on you to apologize to Colleen Simon and allow her to resume her work helping the needy in Kansas City.
Why is this important?
Colleen Simon had her dream job, working at her church to feed hungry families. It was a job, she says, "I was called to by God."
And then last week, she was fired because she is married to another woman.
Colleen has devoted her life to helping the hungry. She's in a loving, committed relationship. Even now, she bears no ill will toward her church, instead praying for "the day when we are all loved and embraced by our churches."
If Colleen Simon is not fit to serve the poor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, no one is.
One of Pope Francis's top bishops in Italy recently called for including gay Christians in church life, less than a year after Francis himself called for a new tone. But the local bishop, Robert Finn, seems not to have gotten the message.
And then last week, she was fired because she is married to another woman.
Colleen has devoted her life to helping the hungry. She's in a loving, committed relationship. Even now, she bears no ill will toward her church, instead praying for "the day when we are all loved and embraced by our churches."
If Colleen Simon is not fit to serve the poor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Kansas City, no one is.
One of Pope Francis's top bishops in Italy recently called for including gay Christians in church life, less than a year after Francis himself called for a new tone. But the local bishop, Robert Finn, seems not to have gotten the message.