‘Those who think only in black and white will never be able to see a rainbow.’

Even with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment growing in political regimes around the world, it is “becoming more normal to talk about queerness” in the church, and to affirm that the LGBTIQ+ community, “as baptized and believing people have their spiritual home in the church. As brothers and sisters in faith, they are here to stay.”

Father Frantz Harant

That’s the opinion of Father Franz Harant, the leader of Rainbow Pastoral Austria (RPA), a network of queer-sensitive initiatives in the Austrian Catholic church.  It began  over two years ago to bring awareness and visibility to queer Catholics. In a recent interview with Katholisch.de, Harant sees this greater openness has been helped by RPA engaging parishes and organizations to a process to help them become “accepting and open” (a+o) by developing ‘queer-sensitive pastoral care.’ Harant said that he knows of several parishes, and particularly youth organizations, that have “used the opportunity to demonstrate the open attitude they have and are implementing. Those parishes and organizations that have engaged in the . . . learning process, as well as the commitment to be accepting and open, are thereby presenting themselves more decisively and confidently.” 

Harant said RPA members hoped that their approach to pastoral care of queer Catholics with some parishes would “trickle down” to other parishes. While  only a small number of parishes and organizations were added to the network in 2024, Harant remains optimistic that their commitment to acceptance and openness will continue to spread, and that church leaders will lend their support. 

“In Austria, they say ‘Good things take time.’” Harant explaineed. “The voice of the church leadership would also be needed. So far, no bishop has publicly commented on the a+o predicate. I have the impression they are still observing, some even benevolently.”

Despite the intensifying political climate in the US and Europe, Harant says that he hopes more queer people will “make themselves visible, or remain visible.” This visibility and resulting dialogue between queer people and church leaders  is a crucial part of acceptance in the church. When asked if he believes parts of the church are deliberately closing themselves off from LGBTIQ+ issues, Harant said:

“Yes, there are people who oppose queer realities being discussed or even made visible. For example, they don’t acknowledge that there is a seamless diversity between the two poles of male and female. Those who think only in black and white will never be able to see a rainbow, nor will they want to. People who reject LGBTIQ+ people are usually insecure because they don’t know their realities. What one doesn’t know is frightening. And out of fear, they reject or even fight against it.”

This attitude weighed heavily on the minds of queer Catholics during the election of Pope Leo earlier this year. But Harant says that he expects Pope Leo to continue commitments by Pope Francis to promote the dignity of LGBTIQ+ persons, such as allowing the blessing of same-sex couples under certain conditions. He also expects Pope Leo to “give greater weight to the findings of human science” and take the realities of trans and intersex people into account. 

Harant also said of the Holy Father:

“The new Pope will have to find his access points and contacts. He should not close himself off to those who also seek dialogue with him or want to continue the discourse initiated by his predecessor. The ‘respectful accompaniment’ not only of homosexuals, but of all LGBTIQ+ people should be promoted and supported even more strongly worldwide as a pastoral mandate within the framework of a queer-sensitive rainbow pastoral care.”

Harant also emphasizes the need for everyday, ordinary allies within church congregations. “The most important thing [for allies] is to take your stand and show your stand,” he says. “The solidarity of allies isn’t just demonstrated by participating in Pride celebrations and displaying rainbow flags on public, church, and private buildings. It requires the everyday, natural support of LGBTIQ+ people.”

Harant finished off his interview with a message of hope for queer Catholics: “We continue on this path patiently, because what we have achieved so far is still just a beginning. ‘Success before triumph’ requires perseverance and a continuous path of small steps until diversity becomes normal in church and society.” 

To read the full interview, click here.

–Lynnzee Dick, October 6, 2025