Correspondence, speaking engagement and subject files, and writings of a Salvatorian priest (1937-2014) documenting his ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, begun in partnership with Sr. Jeannine Gramick (with whom he co-founded New Ways Ministry in 1977) and halted by the Vatican after a lengthy investigation in 1999 (see http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/documents/history.htm).

Related material is in the New Ways Ministry Records in this repository.

Gift of Rev. Robert Nugent, 1990.

Processed by Phil Runkel, 2015.

 

Scope and Content

Series 1, Biographical and Subject Files, 1965-2012, contains information on various topics related to Fr. Nugent's ministry, including his interactions with members of the Catholic hierarchy and leaders of the Salvatorian order, along with correspondence and newspaper clippings concerning his earlier service as a diocesan priest in Philadelphia. The series is arranged alphabetically by topic or type of record, and then in chronological order.

Series 2, Vatican Investigation Files, 1979-2003, documents the investigation of the "public presentations" of Fr. Nugent and Sr. Gramick "with respect to the Church's teaching on homosexuality," including press coverage and letters of support. The arrangement is by topic and chronologically thereunder. Audio and video recordings of commission meetings attended by Gramick and Nugent are in Series 6.

Series 3, General Correspondence, 1977-2012, contains correspondence on a variety of ministry-related topics, arranged by name or type of record and then by date. Correspondence with several dismissed priests and others whom RN counseled is restricted during their lifetime.

Series 4, Speaking Engagements, 1984-2001, 2008, documents the seminars, talks, workshops, and retreats given by Nugent, often co-facilitated with Gramick, in the years following their forced resignations from New Ways Ministry. Correspondents include Catholic bishops, who frequently denied the use of church facilities for these programs, and attendees such as parents of gay and lesbian children, most of whom were very supportive. The series is arranged in chronological order. Audio and video recordings of some of the presentations are in Series 6.

Series 5, Writings, 1953-2013, contains articles and letters to the editor by Nugent, correspondence concerning his books, and manuscripts of unpublished writings, arranged by format and chronologically thereunder.

Series 6, Audio/Visual Recordings, 1986-2002, undated, contains audio and video recordings of presentations and radio and television interviews, and audiotapes of Maida Commission meetings attended by Gramick and Nugent, arranged chronologically.