Editor's Note: The Observer is refraining from naming the author of this letter because of a concern for his personal safety away from Notre Dame. The Observer has verified the authenticity of the letter, as well as the legitimacy of the author's concern.
Dear Holy Cross Priests of Notre Dame,
Each week at Mass, the same petition resurfaces. "For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially to the Congregation of the Holy Cross." I have been discerning the priesthood for some time now and would like to say 'thanks' for including me in your weekly prayers. In addition, thanks for the incredible examples you have been for me and all students here at Notre Dame. Whether in the residence halls, on campus ministry retreats, or in the classroom, your day-to-day work shapes this University.
I am also gay. And in all likelihood, some of you are too. You know the deep loneliness, the awkward conversations that make you cringe inside, and the joy that comes with making yourself known to the people closest to you. Even with your vow to remain celibate (and thus, never to engage in sexual acts of any kind), that sexuality is still very much a part of who you are and who you are called to be for this university and its students.
As it stands, with the exclusion of sexual orientation from the non-discrimination clause (or, to avoid double negatives, the inclusion of sexual orientation in the discrimination clause) and our lack of a GSA, you too are second-class citizens. This is a call for your vocations - that you might more fully live up to the people God is calling you to be. In doing so, you'd be helping us to do the same.
In Notre Dame,
Anonymous
seniorĀ