In an unabashed plug, my memoir, A Gracious Heresy: the queer calling of an unlikely prophet, will be published soon. I am at the stage of seeking permissions for works I quote in the text and that is where my story begins.
I asked a poet for permission to use his two line poem which sums up the unexpected confrontations, joy, and challenges that Godde sets before me. It took me a while to track him down because I didn’t know the context in which the poem was published. I did what all good researchers do: I googled him. I discovered he taught at a Catholic university somewhere in West Virginia so I called him and asked for permission directly, assuming he would tell me what publisher to contact.
We had a lovely conversation in which I told him I had written a spiritual memoir and was hoping to use his poem. He said he could give permission and was glad to do it. We talked further and he asked if he could read my manuscript. I was delighted and agreed to send it as an attachment. Here is what followed (redacted to protect the guilty):
Dear XXXXX,
Thank you so much for giving me permission to use your poem, XXXX, in my memoir. I have attached a copy and hope you find it worthwhile.
Warmly,
Connie
Before too long I received this reply:
Connie,
Although I certainly wish you every success, I think we might have a problem here. The University I teach at is (like me) orthodox Catholic.
You seem like a good person, and so I feel kind of bad to ask you, but could you use a quote from someone else?
We all have to try and be faithful to the Jesus we know.
I’ll pray for you and you pray for me!
Again, I wish you the best.
In Jesus and Mary,
XXXX
Dear XXXX,
Of course, I am deeply disappointed. I suppose I could have avoided your conflict by not sharing my manuscript but I choose not to prevaricate or mislead about my life and faith. Rejection in the name of doctrine is not a new experience for me though I did not expect it here. I will not use your work since you have withdrawn your permission.
Your poem, XXXX, speaks deeply to my absolute joy in God. Perhaps because of this, I am surprised you do not see the Spirit in the eggplant that is me. Be assured, I am not a good person but I am a child of God and a follower in the Way of Christ.
Without rancor I concur: I pray for you, you pray for me… we are all a part of God’s body.
In Christ’s love,
Connie
To which he responded:
Thank you, Connie, although I wouldn’t say that I don’t see the Spirit that is in you. We all need mercy; we all struggle.
(I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you were doing better than I am.)
And thanks, too, for the prayers!
I only regret that I didn’t expect this. There is no question that this person is warm in spirit and seeking to be faithful. What is clearer than ever is that I have absolutely no struggle with who I am, only with systems of oppression, especially those in the name of Godde. In the relative scheme of things this is not a big deal but it is an important reminder of the reason I need to tell my story.
Oh, Connie, oh, Connie. When? when?
Much love, Suzanne
My little agnostic mind is blown, and yeah, you sound pretty gracious….
The High Road is sometimes a lonely one. I would hope that there are quotable options out there that are not tied to someone unable to share the spirit of faith even in disagreement. Permission should not imply complete support but merely a shared end game.
Oh this is just so sad. Over and over the same. And of course there is no such thing as “orthodox Catholic”. And the Catholic Church is not consistent in its practices. I guess my anger is showing. Just so tired of oppression in the name of the Divine and of people afraid to stand up – this man sounds more afraid of losing his job than anything else. Please excuse rant.
Wow! Thank you for being an example of graciousness for us all.