Liuzzi’s Efforts Not Always Viewed as Helpful

Despite Father Peter J. Liuzzi’s efforts, the Church’s position on homosexuality is unacceptable to many gay groups.

“It’s lovely that they have this ministry to gays and lesbians,” says Lee Werbel, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, “but until lesbians and gay men are allowed to be fully who they are, as loving human beings, it’s still discrimination.”

“I’ve known Father Liuzzi a long time,” says Jack Stafford, treasurer of the Los Angeles chapter of Dignity, an organization of gay Catholics meeting outside the church. “He’s served Dignity by coming and saying Mass. We’re not adversaries.

“Our position regarding his ministry is that it’s not helping gay and lesbian people be fully who they are because the Church says its goal is to have them choose the right way, which is to become celibate. We believe gay and lesbian people can express sexuality in a loving, caring way in accordance with the Gospel.”

Nevertheless, Liuzzi perseveres.