LGBT champion Fr James Martin, SJ met Pope Francis on Monday in a private audience in the apostolic palace inside the Vatican. They spoke to each other, seated at the table where the pope meets his high-level visitors. This is the third time Martin, who is known for his pastoral ministry to the LGBT community Read more
Poland’s Bishops Conference has warned of an “intolerable upsurge” in acts of profanation against Catholic sites around the country, while seeking to counter media claims the Church has incited violence against LGBT activists campaigning for greater rights. “In line with its Gospel summons, the Catholic Church respects the dignity of every person without exception – Read more
Poland’s Bishops’ Conference has condemned violent assaults on a weekend gay rights Equality Parade by nationalists who claimed to be defending their Catholic cathedral. At the same time the bishops said the Church will continue speaking out against the “deadly sin” of homosexuality. “Violence and contempt can never be justified or accepted – acts of Read more
The term “LGBT” was used for the first time in a Vatican document. The working document for the 2018 Synod on the Youth noted, “Some LGBT youth…wish to benefit from greater closeness and experience greater care by the Church.” Sister Monica Astorga, an Argentinian Discalced Carmelite Nun, has been working with transgender women since 2005. Read more
One of the more recent challenges for Catholic parishes is how to welcome L.G.B.T. parishioners, as well as families with L.G.B.T. members. But that challenge is also where grace abounds because L.G.B.T. Catholics have felt excluded from the church for so long that any experience of welcome can be life-changing—a healing moment that can inspire Read more
Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar says religion should not be at the centre of society. Speaking on the weekend as Pope Francis made his first visit to Ireland, Varadkar noted since the last papal visit in 1979, Ireland has become more diverse. It is less religious and has modernised its laws on divorce, contraception, Read more
Despite saying all were “welcome to participate as one family” at the World Meeting of Families (WMoF) LGBT Catholic group, We Are Church Ireland says organisers have shut it out. The event which Pope Francis will attend is due to take place in Ireland next month. We Are Church Ireland (WAC Ireland), which advocates for Read more
Pro-LGBT priest Father Paul Morton has published an “open letter” to Glasgow’s Father Mark Morris on the “St. Bride’s RC” Facebook page. In it, he rebukes Morris for his attitude towards Glasgow’s LGBT Pride celebrations. Read more
It should never be illegal to be who you are. Yet lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people continue to face high levels of violence and discrimination across the world. 72 countries criminalise male homosexuality, with 45 also criminalising female homosexuality. In the Commonwealth, 36 of its 53 countries maintain laws that make same-sex intimacy between men Read more
A humanist campaign group in the United Kingdom wants four-year-olds to be taught about LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and trans-gender) issues. It has branded religious views on sexuality “discriminatory.” Humanists UK, formerly known as the British Humanist Association, issued a statement backing government plans on new primary school relationships education. Read more