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The Lexicon On Ambiguous and Colloquial Terms about Family Life and Ethical Questions, penned by the Vatican, sought to clarify the Church’s teachings on birth control, sex education, assisted procreation and homosexuality.
While the contents of the 900-page dictionary spawned the ire of homosexuals around the world, it still came as no surprise to those who are accustomed to denigrating dogma or who have weathered open hostility for decades.
"It’s way different now than from 30 years ago," said Nancy Hillman, 53, president of the seven-year-old Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association. "What is going on now in the search for marriage equality is rights for every person out there."
Peter Frycki, 46, who described himself a "recovering Catholic" said the document was "totally expected."
"This is no surprise," said Frycki, also the publisher of the bi-monthly "Out in Jersey."
"But it doesn’t change anything in the way we feel. It doesn’t change anything except that we are still, as a community, committed to full marriage equality and full civil rights."
Still, words do bite.
"On a personal basis it doesn’t affect me in any way," Frycki said of the lexicon. "But it hurts that church leaders, not just the Catholics, say extremely hurtful and un-Christian things. It hurts that people in authority say things that I find not to be so and not to be true."
Hillman called the document the "first brazen writing in quite some time."
"It is disturbing," she said.
Gassoumis said that women must deal with an extra dose of obnoxious assertions because the Vatican refuses to recognize their ordination.
A practicing Christian whose partner is Roman Catholic, Gassoumis has blessed same-sex unions and may officiate at services in other denominations. But she said Catholic law has been "emotionally and spiritually traumatizing to live with."
"I have always invited dialogue," said Gassoumis, describing tactics she has used to reconcile the differences and to surpass periodic indignities throughout her life, "but the Church has not wanted dialogue with an ‘out-lesbian’ minister."
No one would predict to what extent the new publication might affect local Catholics.
But Gassoumis, Hillmand and Frycki said the publication may be instrumental -- ironically -- in strengthening and solidifying Trenton’s growing gay community.
"With the exception of our love interests or who we love, we are no different (than anyone else)," Frycki said. "The Catholic church has written us off already."
Catholic Bishop John Smith was out of town and unavailable for comment.
