Trans Inclusion Is Not Enough for True Synodality

Against this idea, some Catholics claim that those of us who are trans should find our identity in Christ over and against our other identities. Under this view, we should participate in synodality not on the basis of diversity as ‘trans people,’ but simply as ‘Catholics’. However, neither of these approaches properly contextualise transness. Read More

Gender and Sexuality Affect Every Person. The Synod Must Address This Reality.

Gender and sexuality must be taken up by the church universal in a more enlightened, substantive, dialogical way. The Synod assembly risks failure if it avoids full examinations of such core questions. Read More

“All Agreed Homophobia Must Be Rejected,” Says Synod Official

This week, participants were included at the Vatican’s press briefings, and gender and sexuality issues have arisen several times at these events. Read More

The Samaritan Woman, LGBTQ+ People, and the Synod

Was Radcliffe using coded language to describe LGBTQ+ experience? I don’t think so. I think that if he wanted to make a point about LGBTQ+ people, he would have done so much more plainly. Read More

Approaching the Synod from 30,000 Feet

Clearly, my mind is on a lot of things, and as if that wasn’t enough, my heart is filled with excitement. I’m excited for a new way of being church that is emerging. Read More

Davenport Diocese Releases Positive Framework for LGBTQ+ Pastoral Care

The Diocese of Davenport has released a new framework on LGBTQ+ pastoral care, specifically about gender identity issues, that charts a new direction for such policies in the U.S. Read More

Bishop John Stowe: Blessing LGBTQ+ Couples “Almost Signifies God’s Approval”

Last Monday, the Vatican released a document from Pope Francis in which he expressed an openness to church blessings for same-gender couples. A number of Catholic leaders have responded positively, including Lexington's Bishop John Stowe. Read More

At Pre-Synod Retreat, Fr. Timothy Radcliffe Encourages Centering Gay People, Others on Margins

The first global assembly for the Synod on Synodality is now underway after yesterday's opening Mass, and already LGBTQ+ issues have gained prominence. Today's post features news and commentaries from the past week, which also included a separate document from Pope Francis expressing openness to blessing same-gender couples. Read More

A Foundation for Future Hope

The most important part of the responses released Monday for the future place of LGBTQ+ people in the Catholic Church doesn’t mention LGBTQ+ issues at all. Read More

New Ways Ministry: Blessings Guidance ‘Significantly Advances’ Pope’s LGBTQ+ Affirmation

Though the Vatican’s latest statement about same-gender couples does not provide a full-fledged, ringing endorsement of blessing their unions, the document significantly advances Pope Francis’ work to include and affirm LGBTQ+ people. Read More