Spanish Bishops Criticize Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ+ People

Two prominent Spanish prelates have publicly rejected the scientifically debunked practice of  conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people , and insisted on pastoral accompaniment for LGBTQ+ Catholics, reported Katholische.de. 

Cardinal José Cobo Cano

In a September 19 statement, the Madrid-based Christian Homosexual Organization (CHRISMHOM) praised both Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid and Bishop José Antonio Satué of Málaga for their inclusive stance and rejections of conversion therapy.

In August, Bondings 2.0 reported on Cobo’s address to the Global Network of Rainbow Catholic’s assembly in Madrid, which read in part:

“Regardless of the complexity of situations and our world, the centrality of the person and their dignity should be normative for all Christians.

“Christian communities, also on the journey and eager to avoid all types of unjust discrimination and processes that dehumanize us, in addition to welcoming, must promote a culture of dialogue, accompaniment, and the effective inclusion of those who wish to journey in the Church. To this end, we are opening new doors and new pastoral attitudes that enable understanding and make us all feel like journeyers of hope.”

Bishop José Antonio Satué

Cobo is also the Vice-President of the Spanish bishops’ conference. As for Satué — appointed recently by Pope Leo XIV — the bishop of Málaga publicly rejected conversion therapy when talking to journalists after his installation Mass September15. He said in part:

“There is no doubt that everything possible must be done so that the Church and religions as a whole do not create more causes for suffering, but rather help to welcome people as they are, each one, as [Pope] Francis said, with their life on their back.”

The CHRISMHOM statement said that the rejection of conversion therapy by the two prelates demonstrates their understanding of their ministerial roles as being those “who open the door and not those who close it, those who open their arms to welcome and not those who impose a ‘conversion.’”

Earlier  this week, Bondings 2.0 reported that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) submitted an amicus brief for Chiles vs. Salazar, a U.S. Supreme Court case about restricting conversion therapy.  In the brief, the USCCB defends the legal status of conversion therapy as a form of free speech. 

“The stark contrast between these two sets of bishops shows that not everyone in the Catholic hierarchy supports the harmful practice of conversion therapy, said Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry’s executive director. 

Also submitting amicus briefs in Chiles vs. Salazar were a group of 27 lay Catholics and a trio of Catholic educators.  Both briefs supported banning conversion therapy. 

–Jeromiah Taylor, New Ways Ministry, October 2, 2025