Unmentionable Diseases: The AIDS Crisis and the Catholic Church by Mark D. Jordan

Summary

Unmentionable Diseases: The AIDS Crisis and the Catholic Church by Mark D. Jordan critically examines the Catholic Church's response to the AIDS crisis in the late 20th century. Jordan analyzes the language, policies, and moral teachings that shaped the Church’s approach to addressing or, more often, avoiding the crisis. He highlights both the institutional failures and instances of compassion from individuals within the Church. The book challenges readers to reconsider the relationship between religious authority, sexual ethics, and marginalized communities.

Life-Changing Lessons

1. Silence from institutions in the face of suffering can be deadly and unjust.

2. Compassionate action often comes from individuals even when larger organizations fail.

3. Critical engagement with religious teachings is essential to promote justice and care for marginalized groups.

Publishing year and rating

The book was published in: 2023

AI Rating (from 0 to 100): 91

Practical Examples

1. The Church's early public statements on AIDS

   Jordan documents how, during the earliest years of the AIDS epidemic, the Catholic Church leadership issued statements that largely avoided direct reference to homosexuality or venereal disease. This allowed the Church to maintain doctrinal stances without engaging directly with the realities faced by people suffering from AIDS, illustrating institutional reluctance to address controversy.

2. Efforts by local parishes

   Even as official statements remained reserved, numerous local parishes and Catholic workers stepped up to provide care and solace to AIDS patients. Jordan highlights examples of parishes hosting support groups, caring for the sick, and advocating for their dignity, even in the face of stigma.

3. Confessional secrecy and AIDS diagnosis

   The book discusses cases where priests navigated the tension between the confidentiality of confession and the realities of AIDS diagnoses, debating whether to encourage disclosure or maintain secrecy, and how this affected families and the wider parish community.

4. The use of euphemistic language in official documents

   Jordan analyses the language of Church documents, showing how euphemism and circumlocution often replaced direct discussion of sex, sexuality, or even the word 'AIDS.' This linguistic strategy had real consequences for how openly and effectively the Church addressed the crisis.

5. Catholic advocacy for healthcare access

   While not universal, Jordan details examples where Catholic health organizations advocated for expanded access to medical care for those with HIV/AIDS, sometimes clashing with political or doctrinal authorities in order to fulfill a mission of mercy.

6. Conservative backlash and internal debate

   The book chronicles moments when progressive voices within the Church pushing for acceptance and support of LGBTQ individuals met with resistance from conservative clergy or laity, illustrating the ongoing internal debate and politicization of Catholic morality regarding AIDS.

7. Personal testimonies from clergy and laity

   Jordan includes narratives from priests and lay workers who grappled with their own beliefs and biases as they cared for the sick, highlighting the role of individual transformation and the limits of institutional edicts.