Acts of Faith, Acts of Love

Dugan McGinley, who teaches religious studies at Temple University, considers himself a 'highly committed Catholic'. He has worked throughout his adult life as music director and liturgist in a number of Roman Catholic parishes.

"'This is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of the intersection of homosexuality and religion. McGinley presents a scholarly, well-documented discussion of the integration of sexuality and identity, as well as of the theoretical issues of moral agency and narrative form. He complements this discussion with a sensitive exploration of patterns and themes in contemporary autobiographical writings by 40 gay Catholics (or former Catholics).... This book resounds with the authenticity and integrity of personal narrative and academic critique. Highly recommended.' - Library Journal "Our newspapers and churches are filled with questions about gay rights, same-sex marriage and gay/lesbian adoption. What we may miss is the human face of the debate. In this regard, McGinley has done a great service, assembling and analyzing forty gay Catholic autobiographies. Some excerpts are funny, others heart-breaking; all attempt to save lives. They are acts of courage and sacred texts because they save not only the author, but also other gay Catholics for whom following church teaching 'led not to virtue but to pathology.'" - Human Development"