Petition Drive Launched Against Cardinal Dolan

Last week I wrote about Joseph Amodeo, a young gay Catholic, who resigned from the junior board of Catholic Charities after seeing Cardinal Timothy Dolan's arrogant and nasty to Carl Siciliano on the issue of homeless and needy LGBT youth. Now, Amodeo has launched a petition to call upon Dolan to exhibit a small shred of decency - yes, it's a lot to ask from a Catholic Cardinal who would rather protect child rapist priests - that can be found and signed here. Here are highlights from the petition:

It's wrong that 30-40% of homeless youth are LGBT. We're asking Cardinal Dolan to meet with homeless LGBT youth, hear their stories, and dialogue with them.

A little over eight years ago, I came out as a gay man to my family and friends and continued to practice my faith as a Roman Catholic. I came to witness the overwhelming support that so many people have for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

Despite support for LGBT people from so many Catholics today, I resigned from the Executive Committee of the Junior Board of Catholic Charities two weeks ago.

My resignation was a result of Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York's decision to avoid a request to help young people served by the Ali Forney Center, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency care to homeless LGBT youth. Cardinal Dolan is the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and U.S. media often refer to him as "the American Pope." That such a well-known Catholic leader would oppose responding to a request to assist youth represents a deviation from Catholic social teaching.

Since my resignation, the support from Catholic people and other people of faith – gay and straight – has been overwhelming.

At a time when a 30% to 40% of homeless youth are LGBT, according to a report from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, it is clear that this is an important issue facing all of us concerned with supporting those most in need.

With Vatican insiders and international media outlets speculating that Cardinal Dolan could become the first Pope from America, join me today in calling on Cardinal Dolan and the Archdiocese of New York to meet with leaders from the LGBT community and homeless LGBT youth.

Ask Cardinal Dolan to hear their stories, and collaborate in responding to the epidemic of LGBT youth homelessness.

It is amazing that more and more members of the Catholic laity are displaying a willingness to openly challenge and condemn the morally bankrupt members of the Church hierarchy such as Dolan.