Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear

Set against the backdrop of the HIV and AIDS epidemic of the late twentieth century and the Catholic Church’s crackdown on gay and lesbian activists, journalist Michael O’Loughlin searches out the untold stories of those who didn’t look away, who at great personal cost chose compassion–even as he seeks insight for LGBTQ people of faith struggling to find a home in religious communities today. This is one journalist’s–gay and Catholic himself–compelling picture of those quiet heroes who responded to human suffering when so much of society–and so much of the church–told them to look away. These pure acts of compassion and mercy offer us hope and inspiration as we continue to confront existential questions about what it means to be Americans, Christians, and human beings responding to those most in need.
On Thursday, October 20 at 4 pm in the Arrupe Multipurpose Room, journalist Michael O’Loughlin (America Magazine) will be in conversation with Dr. Annie Selak (Georgetown Women’s Center) to discuss these untold stories of compassion in the face of fear. This event is part of OUTober and sponsored by the LGBTQ Resource Center, Campus Ministry, and the Women’s Center. Free copies of the book are available to the Georgetown University community in the Women’s Center (327 Leavey), 12-4 Monday-Friday.