Media Type: Video

FutureChurch continues its 2025 Pride Month Series with a presentation from Sr. Marian Durkin, CSA. In her talk, Sr. Marian shares the story of her 35 year ministry to and with the LGBTQ+ community in Cleveland, OH – from opening a support center for persons with AIDS, to co-founding a retreat for LGBTQ+ Catholics, to her current spiritual accompaniment with the trans community.

Sr. Marian Durkin is a Sister of Charity of Saint Augustine. Since leaving her role on the leadership Council for her congregation, Sr. Marian Durkin has been involved in a number of volunteer activities. She participates monthly in a prayer group at Edna House, a house for women in recovery based in Ignatian Spirituality. She co-facilitates an annual retreat for the LGBTQ+ community, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. She remains active in her opposition of the death penalty and in her support of the trans community.

FutureChurch begins its 2025 Pride Month Series with this presentation on Synodality and Queer Theology from Dr. Ish Ruiz. In his presentation, Dr. Ruiz names some key “ingredients” for a synodal church, discusses the posture and goals of contemporary queer theology, and explores ways in which queer theology can inform synodality.

Dr. Ish Ruiz is an assistant professor of Latinx and Queer Decolonial Theology at Pacific School of Religion and holds a PhD in Theology and Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union. He is also the coordinator of the Latinx Roundtable of the Center for LGBTQ+ and Gender Studies in Religion housed at PSR. A native from Puerto Rico and a queer Catholic theologian, Ish’s research interests explore the intersection between Catholic moral theology, queer theology, Latinx theology, ecclesiology, sexual ethics, liberation, human rights, and Catholic education. He is the author of LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Embracing Synodality, Inclusivity, and Justice (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024) and a co-editor of Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions (New Ways Ministry, 2024). He has published several academic and public theology articles in the field of Catholic theological ethics and has ministered in Catholic schools and parishes on matters of LGBTQ+ and Latinx inclusion throughout the nation.

Habemus Papam! We have a pope! Pope Leo XIV. With our Church still in the middle of our global Synod  process – which has raised so many important issues – and the world in so much chaos and turmoil, many are wondering what may come of the papacy of Leo XIV: What does Pope Leo mean for synodality? What about women? What about LGBTQ+ Catholics? Why did he choose the name Leo? How will being Augustinian shape his papacy?

FutureChurch hosted a panel of dynamic and insightful Catholic women who considered these questions and more.

About our panelists:

• Brianne Jacobs is Catholic feminist theologian. Her scholarship expresses the faith of Catholic Christianity in light of new and developing science and philosophy of sexual difference, with the goal of liberation and joy for all people across gender. Jacobs hold a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, an MA in Systematic Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and a PhD in Systematic Theology from Fordham University. She is currently assistant professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA where she coordinates and teaches for the Women and Gender Studies Minor, and has won multiple teaching awards. Jacobs’ writing has appeared in Theological Studies and America Magazine. Her first monograph, Holy Body: Gender and Sexual Difference in Theological Anthropology and Ecclesiology, was published in October 2024.
• Marianne Duddy-Burke is the executive director of DignityUSA and co-chair of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics. She has served in leadership positions in the Catholic LGBTQ+ movement since 1985 and was. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Post, the New York Times, USA Today, the National Catholic Reporter and The Advocate. Founded in 1969, DignityUSA is the world’s oldest Catholic organization for LGBTQIA+ ministry and advocacy.
• Theresa Gardner is originally from Haddon Heights, New Jersey. She received a bachelor’s in music and theology from the Catholic University of America and a Master’s in Theology and Religious studies from Villanova University. During her time at Villanova, her areas of interest were feminist theology, interfaith studies, ecclesiology, and postcolonial/Decolonial theories. Theresa serves as the Director of Christian Service at Loyola School in New York City.
• Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns was appointed by the late Pope Francis as lay delegate to the Synod on Synodality, becoming one of the history-making women who voted for the first time at a synod. Dr. Bailey Manns is the Director of Adult Learning at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community in Minneapolis—a community whose vision is to be a visible, progressive Catholic Community, compassionate and welcoming to all. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Florida and currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.