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| The following took me about two seconds to find. Do board members have computers, Google, honesty, curiosity, due diligence? Latini has a new statement here. OnebyOne and Latini are named here - no secret. |
Sex: an unlikely subject to round out this year's Jesus Week. Last night, with topics ranging from sexual addiction to reform programs for homosexuals, sex topped the agenda in a 90-minute discussion with Theresa Latini, the executive director of One-by-One -- an organization that counsels homosexuals in conflict with their religious beliefs. Latini, whose talk marked the culmination of Jesus Week 2000, addressed about 40 students in Stiteler Hall. Latini, a self-described "former" homosexual, discussed religion as it pertains to both heterosexuals and homosexuals. She stressed the idea of "sexual brokenness" -- which she defined as "anything about our sexuality that falls outside of God's plan" -- as the basis for whatever problems Christians encounter. In fact, for Latini, homosexuality is "not primarily a sexual issue." "This is not a fundamental part of who [homosexuals] were created to be," she said. "Perhaps homosexuality is meeting legitimate needs in illegitimate ways." Heterosexuals, she argued, often use "illegitimate" means to fulfill a greater need as well. In one of the more controversial parts of her talk, Latini said such behavior -- ...is a "destructive consequence of sin" that plays into the idea of "sexual brokenness." Now, on the other hand, she said the pendulum has swung to celebrating homosexuality, which is not necessarily the answer either. Latini offered her controversial opinion about the causes of homosexuality. She said she saw little biological basis, but rather pointed toward experiences in early childhood, such as the "breakdown in the relationship with the same-sex parent." Latini grew up with a "homosexual orientation" and found difficulties when trying to reconcile her feelings with those of the ministry. But through a combination of support groups and one-on-one talks with a counselor, she said that she and others like her "began to experience significant change, not only in our identities, but also in our orientation." Latini then took questions from the audience, and she found herself challenged on many points. Most students found flaws in the environmental basis of homosexuality in which Latini believes. About Latini's talk, many students were somewhat critical, but by no means offended. "You can't be offended if she wants to share a change in her life," College freshman Jessica Rodriguez said. "I think everyone reacted with a willingness to listen at least." Perhaps, as College junior Nina Harris pointed out, the response was less charged because the discussion "wasn't really focused on homosexuality, but rather 'sexual brokenness.'"
Lutheran seminary board chairperson resigns | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
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| Untangle this, sports fans. She did not know the real Latini history, and when she knew, she kept it a secret. |
"The chairperson of United Lutheran Seminary’s trustees has resigned amid criticisms that she didn’t tell fellow trustees or the seminary community that the school’s president had previously directed an organization that urged gay people to change or resist their sexual orientation.
The resignation of the Rev. Elise Brown, effective immediately, was announced in a Wednesday statement on the website of the eastern Pennsylvania seminary.
The statement did not indicate any change in the status of the seminary president, the Rev. Theresa Latini. But the board said it would be “assessing and making decisions regarding seminary and board leadership” before meeting March 14.
The seminary was formed last year by the merger of historic Lutheran seminaries in Gettysburg and Philadelphia, and it retains campuses in both places.
Rev. Latini, who became president last July, had extensive pastoral and academic experience. But she didn’t tell the search committee that beginning in 1996, she was director for more than five years of the Presbyterian-affiliated group OnebyOne.
Its website features testimonies on “overcoming same-sex attraction,” and Rev. Latini acknowledged she had presented the work of a practitioner of “reparative therapy,” a discredited technique purported to change a person’s sexual orientation."
'via Blog this'
ELM Statement Concerning United Lutheran Seminary
ELM Statement Concerning United Lutheran Seminary
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries was deeply saddened to hear that the Rev. Dr. Theresa Latini, President of United Lutheran Seminary, previously served as the director of One by One, an anti-LGBTQIA+ organization that promotes conversion therapy as a solution for people “in conflict with their sexuality;” and, that Dr. Latini – in her previously published writings – described herself as someone who had struggled with a “homosexual orientation” but through prayer and one-on-one counseling was able to change her orientation.
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries believes the public witness of gender and sexual minority ministers transforms the church and enriches the world. By living into the fullest expression of their identities, LGBTQIA+ leaders model God’s liberating love for all and boldly proclaim the goodness of their being – so beautifully captured in the words of the Psalmist: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139: 14a).
Organizations like One by One and the horrific practices of reparative and conversion therapy are the antithesis of the Psalmist’s beautiful lyric, not to mention the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather, these practices and organizations promote self-hatred and the systemic oppression and repression of LGBTQIA+ people; they mentally and physically abuse children and youth; and, they cause spiritual, emotional, and physical death.
Rather than boldly stating her past and joyfully celebrating her identity and transformation of heart, Dr. Latini chose not to share the fullness of her story to the ULS Board during the hiring process. Tragically, once informed, the Board also chose not to make an announcement in the interest of full transparency. The mismanagement and secrecy surrounding these events has instilled fear and mistrust in the LGBTQIA+ community towards the seminary and its leaders.
Because, unfortunately, time and again, gender and sexual minorities have been lured into the halls and sanctuaries of our churches with promises of “all are welcome” only to be faced with heteronormative biases, un-checked prejudice, and statements like “love the sinner, hate the sin.”
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries condemns and abhors the assumption that gender and sexual identities are sinful, wrong, or need to be changed in any way. We lament Dr. Latini’s history with an anti-LGBTQIA+ organization, and mourn her perceived need to hide her personal story of identity. We grieve our church’s inclination towards institutional preservation over the honoring of God’s beloved children.
Likewise, ELM is deeply saddened and troubled by the entanglement of ELM Board Member, the Rev. Dr. Elise Brown, who has served on ELM’s board faithfully and honorably for the past six years. Dr. Brown is also the Chairperson of United Lutheran Seminary’s Board of Trustees. ELM’s Board of Directors under the leadership of our Co-Chairs, the Rev. Matthew James and Emily Ann Garcia, are engaging in discernment and conversation regarding Elise’s role on our Board.
Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries believes that we are called to respond to God’s love and call to justice by listening deeply, publicly claiming our identities, working collaboratively, acting transparently, and speaking truthfully. We covenant to live into these practices with all those who desire truth, trust, and justice.
ELM dreams of a Church in which gender and sexual minorities do not need to question whether they are welcome wholly as they are – in our congregations, at our seminaries, or in our pulpits. Our lived experiences remind us daily that we are not there yet. While we are on the journey, ELM will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ leaders, offer our gifts as resources to the broader community, accompany individuals and communities in the holy work of loving the “fearfully and wonderfully made” Body of Christ embodied in all its queerness, and hold each other gently when the world doesn’t live up to God’s promises.
Rev. Amanda Nelson Rev. Asher O’Callaghan
Executive Director Program Director
Board of Directors
Emily Ann Garcia, Co-Chair Rev. Matthew James, Co-Chair
Dr. Margaret Moreland, Secretary Charles Horn III, Treasurer
Rev. Emily E. Ewing Rev. Brad Froslee
Philipos Ghaly Rev. Jeff Johnson
Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad Rev. Michael Wilker
Emily Ann Garcia, Co-Chair Rev. Matthew James, Co-Chair
Dr. Margaret Moreland, Secretary Charles Horn III, Treasurer
Rev. Emily E. Ewing Rev. Brad Froslee
Philipos Ghaly Rev. Jeff Johnson
Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad Rev. Michael Wilker
*Rev. Dr. Elise Brown is a member of ELM’s Board but is not listed as a publisher of this statement due to her dual roles as Chair of the United Lutheran Seminary’s Board of Trustees.
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The United Lutheran Seminary board admits that it messed up big time and will provide therapists for those traumatized by them and Latini.
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GJ - Let me explain how easy it is to do an Internet check on someone. Just put that person's full name into Google, and also try Google Images. It is easy to find many examples of the same name. Sometimes I add the denomination or another association.
LinkedIn can be very useful, because that only has the details volunteered by the individual, including a photo. The work and volunteer history is illuminating. Erasing the entry is also interesting, such as various examples in WELS.
This means the search committee was too lazy or dumb to do the most superficial kind of research. That has revealed how fragmented this United Lutheran Seminary is. But their fight also tells us what their values are.
Would Would Mark Jeske Do? Give them a grant to study their issues?
