Since its inception in the 1960s, the Catholic Theological Union (CTU) has been committed to authentic, justice-led theological education that centers interculturality and diversity of faith, race, ethnicity, vocation, gender and sexuality.
These commitments are not just vague notions or token lines, but are deeply entrenched in the programming of the school. These include the Catholic-Jewish and Catholic-Muslim studies programs, the Oscar Romero and Augustus Tolton programs for Hispanic, Latino/a and Black Catholics, respectively; and the Pathways program for young Catholics who identify as LGBTQ, BIPOC, disabled or another marginalized identity.
Numerous CTU staff members and its student body openly identify as LGBTQ. Over the years, CTU has hosted several public events on issues pertaining to the LGBTQ community, including book launch events for Michael O’Laughlin’s “Hidden Mercy” and John D’Emilio’s “Memories of a Gay Catholic Boyhood.”
Support of the LGBTQ community is a crucial part of the CTU’s mission.