As the Synod of Bishops begins to listen, will the church listen to everyone, or only the voices we are used to listening to? Will it listen to LGBTQ people?
Pope Francis asked, "Are we good at listening? How good is the 'hearing' of our heart?"...
@Synod_va #Synod2023
Pope Francis asked, "Are we good at listening? How good is the 'hearing' of our heart?"...
@Synod_va #Synod2023
"Do we allow people to express themselves, to walk in faith even though they have had difficulties in life, and to be part of the life of the community without being hindered, rejected or judged?"
Who is "hindered, rejected or judged" in the church?... vatican.va/content/france…
Who is "hindered, rejected or judged" in the church?... vatican.va/content/france…
#LGBTQ people are among the most persecuted and endangered people in the world. In 70 countries simply being LGBTQ is a criminal offense; and harassment, beatings and violence are common in many more places.... bbc.com/news/world-438…
Sometimes LGBTQ people are forced to flee from their home countries, a phenomenon detailed in Mark Gevisser's new book "The Pink Line." Then, in refugee camps, they are harassed and beaten, as has happened in Kakuma Camp in Kenya.... voanews.com/a/africa_kenya…
The situation for them is especially acute in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, where violence is common, often egged on by political leaders. unfe.org/wp-content/upl…
In 10 countries you can be executed for engaging in same-sex relations. In many countries, then, LGBTQ issues are life issues.
And in some places, the church has sided with these repressive laws. Here is a story from just today: newwaysministry.org/2021/10/12/gha…
And in some places, the church has sided with these repressive laws. Here is a story from just today: newwaysministry.org/2021/10/12/gha…
In the West, besides violence and hate crimes, LGBTQ people, especially youth, are at higher risk of suicide and homelessness, often as a result of families kicking them out of the house for “religious reasons.”
americamagazine.org/faith/2021/08/…
americamagazine.org/faith/2021/08/…
In their own church they are often spoken of only, or primarily, in the language of sin, when we are all sinners. They are singled out by bishops; insulted by pastors; fired from their jobs; and their families (parents, brothers, sisters) are also made to feel unwelcome....
They are the lepers of the church.
Will the Synod listen to LGBTQ Catholics? What mechanisms will allow these voices, so often ignored, to be heard in the synodal process? How are LGBTQ voices being sought out? Is there a seat for them at the Synod? In their own church?
Will the Synod listen to LGBTQ Catholics? What mechanisms will allow these voices, so often ignored, to be heard in the synodal process? How are LGBTQ voices being sought out? Is there a seat for them at the Synod? In their own church?
As Pope Francis says, “The Spirit asks us to listen to the questions, concerns and hopes of every Church, people and nation. And to listen to the world, to the challenges and changes that it sets before us.”
Listening to "every people" means listening to LGBTQ people.
Listening to "every people" means listening to LGBTQ people.
Photo of the Synod proceedings from Paul Haring at @CatholicNewsSvc
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