LGBTQ+ Catholics Were Silenced By the Synod. Now What?
During the Synod of Synodality, some church leaders argued that LGBTQ+ issues and the possibility of female deacons should not be discussed to the possibility of a “globally fractured church.” This perspective resulted in these topics being put on a back burner at the 2nd global assembly of the synod in October 2024,
A synod assembly session in October 2024.
In an essay for America magazine, Mary McAuliffe argues that such a mindset forces women and LGBTQ+ folks to stay in “silence for the sake of unity.” She said she found some solace in trying to follow Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe’s vision that the synod is not directed to make changes but “evokes new ways of being a church in which we relate to each other much more profoundly in Christ, and to Christ much more profoundly with each other.” But despite this good advice, McAuliffe still has quesstions:
“Synodality is supposed to keep all of us together and with Jesus; yet I am still left with questions as to exactly how much the members of my church really want to relate to Christ more profoundly with me and with our L.G.B.T.Q. brothers and sisters.”
McAuliffe acknowledges:
“Like many who are hopeful for visible improvement to the status of women and L.G.B.T.Q. people in the Catholic Church, I have seen the Synod on Synodality as a mixed bag of anticipation, disappointment and a diligent search for God’s grace at work. I have nurtured a cautious optimism that my church might be ready to make more room for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics to be their authentic selves, and to more fully honor women’s baptismal dignity by restoring the female diaconate. It is clear now that prayerfully embarking on this synodal journey with my church will often mean setting aside my desires for immediate large-scale change.”
Because the synod seemed to offer much for LGBTQ+ people (and for women to become deacons), but delivered very little, McAuliffe finds the church in a new moment:
“We now have to ask whether the church is prepared to acknowledge the pain that this reality causes many members of the body of Christ. Whatever other doors the synod opens, women will still be asked to be a part of, and to minister in, a church which maintains that God does not see fit for us to image Christ on the altar. L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics will still be asked to be a part of, and to minister in, a church that refers to a part of their capacity for love as “intrinsically disordered.” Having to continually ask, “What does my church believe about me?” and “Does it really believe that I am made in the image of God?” is a cross almost unique to women and to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics. . . .
“If we are to be a synodal church, are all of us ready to hear and honestly reckon with the sacrifice being asked of women and L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics? Can our church even acknowledge the sacrifice it is asking of us? Can our parishes take our pain seriously without patronizingly trying to “re-catechize” us about what the church actually teaches, or pointing to the other roles available to us as though they should put an end to that pain?”
Despite this setback, McAuliffe hopes that the Synod on Synodality will ultimately bring positive change to the Church, so all individuals feel welcomed and loved. This will take time, but she believes she could be around to witness it. She still prays for a day when LGBTQ issues will receive the open attention they deserve:
“I also pray that synodality may be the path by which my church learns to fully love both me and my L.G.B.T.Q. brothers and sisters, and that God grants me a long enough life to see that love realized.”
–Sarah Cassidy, New Ways Ministry, January 15, 2025
I don’t think LGBT or Women were silenced at the Synod as much as that we yielded the lead position, similarly I view the great call to Eucharistic at Indianapolis that was to bring great waves of refreshed communicants to the altar of our local parishes. That didn’t happen and neither has the synod sparked fresh life into the Church because they weren’t from the body of Christ. The leaders and power brokers in the Church didn’t realize there will only be fresh new life when they give the voices of those who are different from them a free and accepting venue. I include all those who are women and under that umbrella all who are LGBT.
The Church is to be a place of comfort for all, not as we will be but as we are. We must be more active in the Church, not less. The pre-Synod meetings were all hierarchy lead, not self-generated. The Holy Spirit was not given a space to speak.
Come in and do good works to match such good things as are being done, don’t wait for change to take place. As we used to sing in the 60s -70s “They will know us by our love.” If the crowd is truly unwelcoming shake the dust from your shoes and seek another location. Don’t give up but go forward. The Synod did not give us every grace we wanted, but it was a step.
I don’t know much about the female deacon thing but EVERYONE should be heard
“Globally fractured church”
Why are we pandering to ppl who do not want to know or care. What good does it do to stay silent when people are suffering???
I have to ask after reading this What Are The Bishops Afraid Of! Now acknowledging them at the Synod. They still have power could it be they think the people in the pews might agree with the LGBTQ persons? Just curious.
What are they Afraid of the Bishops? That the people in the pews might agree with the
questions of the LGBTQ community. They still have the power but aren’t listening.