For over a decade, LGBTQ Catholics have grappled with the pope’s views on LGBTQ Catholics. The have grappled with what it means to balance having a pope who literally and figuratively embraces their community while approving documents that seem to call their very dignity into question. That reality is playing out again today, with the Read more
The much anticipated “synthesis report” from October’s synod on synodality was released after the confidential Vatican-based meetings concluded on Sunday. The synthesis report summarises synodal discussions about how a synodal Church’s ministries and structures can give a wider role for laity which is more in line with the vision of Vatican II. Big issues discussed Read more
The synod on synodality could cause a schism in the Church, a leading conservative Catholic cardinal says. A new book, “The Synodal Process Is a Pandora’s Box: 100 Questions and Answers,” addresses the “serious situation” brought on by the synod, Cardinal Raymond Burke (pictured, centre) says. Pope Francis is risking confusion and even schism in Read more
In a controversial move, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts have been instructed to revise their student handbooks with updated policies regarding LGBTQ students. The new regulations effectively bar students from engaging in same-sex relationships and activities inconsistent with their assigned birth sex. Bishop Robert McManus (pictured) of Worcester issued a notification to Read more
The Catholic Church is open to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, Pope Francis affirms. The Church has a duty to accompany gay people on a personal path of spirituality, providing that accompaniment is within the framework of the Catholic Church rules, he told reporters on the plane returning to Rome from World Youth Day (WYD) Read more
Baltimore Archbishop William E Lori has issued new guidance on ministry to LGBT people and their families Lori’s policy is emphasising the need for a compassionate and understanding approach based on Church teaching and revelation. The archbishop released the 14-page document “Like Every Disciple” in the form of a personal letter. The letter seeks to Read more
Natural law has been used to restrict LGBTQ people, according to Fr James Alison, an influential Catholic priest, theologian and writer. Alison (pictured) commented in a recent virtual conversation on the website ‘Outreach’ in its monthly series of virtual talks ‘Outspoken.’ In the conversation with Fr James Martin, SJ, Alison discussed natural law and conscience, Read more
Pope Francis has been upbeat and future-focused during his tenth anniversary this week. Instead of cataloguing and discussing his past decade’s wins and losses, Francis has been speaking of his hopes for the future. “It’s not for me to decide what I’ve achieved”, he told media when questioned. “The Lord will do the appraisal when Read more
A group of Belgian Catholic bishops have defied the Vatican by introducing blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples in their dioceses. The bishops of Flanders also published a liturgy for the celebration of homosexual unions. “In doing so, they are going directly against the Vatican,” reported the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. The Vatican clarified in March Read more
Pope Francis’ recent “mini-interview” on the topic of LGBTQ Catholics provides some of the building blocks for a re-imagined ministry to gay people. “A ‘selective’ church, one of ‘pure blood,’ is not Holy Mother Church, but rather a sect,” the Pope explained in a handwritten reply to questions from Fr James Martin, a Jesuit priest Read more