Nidorf, Pax

pax nidorf 2 Founder of DignityUSA - a pioneer and trailblazer

Pax Nidorf was born Pinchus Patrick Nidorf in the spring of 25 Mar 1932 in Phoenix, AZ to Louis Xavier Nidorf and Marie Hattie Nidorf. He spent the first 20 years of his life studying art and other educational pursuits. The second 20 years were spent in intensive training in the Augustinian monastic order, and he was ordained as a Catholic priest on May 31, 1960 by Bishop Francis Buddy in San Diego, CA. During these years, he continued his art work and started Dignity, a ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics.

Pax retired from the priesthood in 1973, married Dacia StJohn and began his private practice as a psychotherapist. Throughout his life, Pax always had many ongoing creative projects. He was a productive artist as an adult and had many one-man shows throughout the West. He had a large following in Southern California with a waiting list for his commissioned works.

Pax Nidorf was an accomplished painter, illustrator, potter, and craftsman. Added to these gifts, he also wrote several in-depth books on various topics. His intense psychic and spiritual insights are revealed in their pages. One such book is "Beyond Dreaming - Tools for Psychic Development."

DignityUSA Founder Pax Nidorf Dies at 91

DignityUSA founder Pax Nidorf died on March 27, 2023 at his home outside of San Diego, CA, just days after his 91st birthday.

Longtime friend and Dignity leader Pat McArron writes, "Early in 1969, Father Patrick X. Nidorf, an Augustinian priest and psychologist in San Diego, began a ministry for gay and lesbian Roman Catholics as an extension of his professional work. He chose the name 'Dignity' to stress his basic goal: to bring dignity into the spiritual and social lives of gay and lesbian Catholics. Word of Nidorf's ministry spread, first by word of mouth, then through advertisements Nidorf placed in the Los Angeles Free Press and beginning in January 1970 the Advocate. To guard against the possibility of religious fanatics or homophobes disrupting or dominating meetings, Nidorf required the return of a completed application form, and, when in doubt, a personal interview. The monthly gatherings were open only to individuals over 21 years of age, with a membership card issued by Nidorf; annual dues were $5. Nidorf also issued a simple monthly newsletter.

"Fr. Pat received 168 responses to an ad he placed in 1969 inviting Catholics to a discussion group intended to lighten their spiritual burden in a hostile world," McArron recalled.

Nidorf addressed Dignity/San Diego on the occasion of the Chapter's 25th Anniversary in 1994 saying, "When I started Dignity in 1969, in the eyes of the world it was probably a very small thing. However, in the microcosm of my own life, it was a monumental gamble. The fact is that we are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

"I think that is what Dignity is all about. Teaching people to dare to be themselves, to risk being open to love, to dare to open their hearts and let the world peek in.

"Let us hold hands to share our strength, love and faith with one another. Let us challenge anyone who would question our validity," said Nidorf.

Nidorf, who was also a noted artist, contributed to a video created by Tom Yates of Dignity/Washington for DignityUSA's 50th anniversary. Use the link below to view an excerpt of the film with Pax's thoughts.

"Because Pax had the compassion, the vision, and the courage to understand that LGBTQIA+ Catholics needed a safe space to pray and find a spiritual home, people my age have never had to live in a world without Dignity," said Meli Barber, DignityUSA President. "He created something that continues to feed people more than five decades later. What an amazing gift to so many, and to the whole church."

"It was a profound honor to meet Pax on a couple of occasions," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA Executive Director. "He was a real character and had a lot of strong opinions about the church. He clearly supported what Dignity had become as a lay-led ministry and organization and downplayed his own role in our birth. He credited his Augustinian community with supporting his conviction that gay and lesbian people should have affirmation, not condemnation, and noted his provincial's willingness to stand with him when bishops challenged his ministry. He always saw Dignity as a community, a legacy we build on to this day."

DignityUSA offers condolences to Pax's family and friends, and our thanks to our founder. May he rest in peace and may the seed he planted continue to flourish.

Click here for Pax's thoughts on his role in DignityUSA.