r/Progressive_Catholics

I’ve been exploring Catholic spaces on Reddit and r/Catholicism seems to be one of the more active subreddits. But the more I read there the more astonished I am by how slanted it seems to be towards a kind of right-wing traditionalism that sometimes even leans towards sedevacantism and schism. What’s going on over there? And does anyone have any suggestions for subreddits that are a bit more “normie”?

One of the reasons why I have remained catholic is the same reason as to why the woman I mention up above remains Catholic despite having politics that lean to the left of the economic spectrum. I was drawn to keep to my catholic roots when I first learned about catholic social teaching senior year of high school at a catholic known as cathedral catholic in San Diego. One specific teaching of catholic social teaching was the dignity of workers. I respected the Catholic Church that they understood that the best way to allow and encourage conservative lifestyles of no contraceptives, abortion, and the celebration of traditional familiar dynamics comes from economic security. Along with my love and reverence for catholic traditions such as receiving sacraments and going to confession, that day in learning about Pope Leo XIII and rerum novarum forever ensured I would remain a catholic.

I mention all this to you because I have been wondering if there are any catholic commentators or apologists who had the same political viewpoints as me and matching their relation to catholicism as well. My specific views are as follows: I self identify as a new deal democrat but leaning towards being a democratic socialist (I have made a vow not to be one until I have experience as a wage laborer since I have yet to have a real job due to being at university or managing capital) yet when it comes to social issues I view abortion as evil and that one should encourage family life yet I also believe the best way of achieving a culture where family dynamics are promoted and abortion discouraged is not purely through legislation discouraging Reproductive rights but rather though economic liberation so that families can be allowed to be better prepared for unexpected pregancies.

As you well know though, most catholic commentators today don’t fit these beliefs of mixing socialism with Catholicism especially due to Benedict xvi (at the time known as cardinal Ratzinger) strong condemnation of Liberation theology which tried to mix Marxist and socialist elements with catholic social teaching itself. It left me feeling like the odd man out. That is until I found Elisabeth Bruenig, a prominent mainstream opinion writer for the dying legacy media newspapers of the new york times, the Atlantic, and the Washington post. Self described as a ”Catholic Socialist,” she has articulated a perspective that combines socialist economic views with her catholic faith after conversion from her Methodist faith. She is pro welfare state, anti capitalist, but also views abortion as intrinsically evil.

So my final question to this subreddit is two fold: Does anyone know who elisabeth Bruenig is and what are your thoughts about her, and second fold am I a heretic for trying to believe in Christian socialism with a variation mixing my catholic faith? Let me know in the comments down below.

Hello, I'm analysing Hamlet as practice for my Literature exam. In Act 5, Scene 1 Ophelia is being given a Christian burial, the grave diggers are debating whether or not she deserves it since she has committed suicide.

Now, I am a muslim so I don't much know about the Catholic point of view (though ive always admired the religion). Since this Denmark is a Protestant country and the whole Catholic vs Protestant thing was a debate, would a Catholic point of view think she deserves a proper Christian burial or not? It's for the "alternative point of view" section of the analysis.

Thanks for your time!

Dear Fellow Activists and members of this community.

I am writing to you as a member of the LGBTQIA+ refugee community currently fighting for survival in the Gorom Refugee Settlement, South Sudan. My name is Pretty Tricia (they,them) and I am part of a group of over 500 queer and transgender individuals who are living in a state of constant emergency.

Our journey to Gorom was born out of desperation. Many of us previously sought refuge in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, believing it to be a place of protection. Instead, we were met with unimaginable brutality. In Kakuma, we were targeted by homophobic arson attacks, systemic violence, and relentless stoning. We lost at least three of our comrades to these targeted killings, and many others sustained life-altering injuries that they still carry today. When the Kenyan authorities made it clear that they had no intention of protecting queer refugees, and as food ration cuts pushed us to the brink of starvation, we were forced to flee once again. We crossed borders into neighboring countries like South Sudan, searching for a place where we wouldn’t be hunted.  

However, the sanctuary we hoped for in Gorom has become another site of struggle. Our situation is being exacerbated by a "generational collapse" in humanitarian funding, largely driven by the massive aid cuts initiated during the Trump administration. These policy shifts have gutted the resources available for marginalized groups, leaving us without consistent food, medicine, or hygiene supplies.

While we recognize that the UNHCR and the Government of South Sudan are doing their best to manage an overwhelmed system, their efforts are crippled by a lack of resettlement slots. The backlog is immense, and as we wait for a path to safety, we are forced to survive in open spaces, exposed to the elements and daily physical assaults. Because of the local social climate, being LGBTQIA+ remains a high-risk identity that invites violence, stoning, and death threats.  

The crisis in Gorom and the failure of protection in Kakuma have been documented by international outlets from Minority Africa and the Washington Blade to official UNHCR reports yet the global response remains insufficient. We are a community of survivors who refuse to be silenced, but we cannot survive this backlog without immediate intervention.

We are calling on you to help us in the following ways:

• Advocacy for Resettlement: Pressure international governments to provide emergency resettlement slots specifically for high-risk LGBTQIA+ refugees trapped in South Sudan.

• Emergency Direct Aid: Help us secure the basic needs food, clean water, and medical care that have been lost due to global aid cuts.

• Amplification: Share this message with your networks to ensure that our struggle is not buried in the archives of a failing humanitarian system.

.Counseling: living in a situation we are in has caused too much trauma and depression, we need volunteer in individuals and organizations to step in for counseling sections 

We are tired of running. We want to live in dignity and safety. Please stand with us as we wait for the protection we were promised.

In Power and Solidarity,

Pretty Tricia

Activist and Coordinator

Survival in colors (LGBTQIA+ Refugee Coalition) Gorom Settlement