10/03/2025
Centenary of John McNeill (1925-2015). Join us in New York - Pass the word. Bring friends - family
Share the story witness and life of John J McNeill.
Its free but needs an RSVP - Sign up today
[email protected] or [email protected]
On October 6 at 6pm
“Pioneer of Catholic LGBTQ Ministry: The Legacy of John McNeill”.
Fordham University, Lincoln Center – McNally Amphitheater, 140 W.62nd Street, NYC
The event is free . RSVP : [email protected]
Screening of award-winning documentary “Taking a Chance on God” followed by a panel featuring:
Brendan Fay – film director
Mary E. Hunt PhD., Co-founder of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual
Jason Steidl Jack, PhD., St Joseph’s University, New York.
Bryan N. Massingale, PhD., Professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University, Moderator.
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“An inspiring portrait of a pioneer gay priest, Taking a Chance on God by Brendan Fay follows the extraordinary life of 86-year-old John McNeill from his Buffalo boyhood through his experiences as a POW in N**i Germany, with years at LeMoyne, Syracuse with Fr. Dan Berrigan as Vietnam peace promoter. Leading human rights advocate, therapist and theologian McNeill was author of groundbreaking works of gay spirituality, a founder of the LGBT Catholic group Dignity/New York, and outspoken community leader during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s – refused to be silenced by the Vatican on LGBT issues. This resulted in his expulsion from the Jesuit priesthood. Chronicling McNeill’s love for the Catholic Church, the LGBT community, his Jesuit brothers, and his partner Charles Chiarelli, Taking a Chance on God is a powerful story of faith, love and perseverance in the face of oppression and rejection.”