A Rainbow Synod

Program Description

This past year, LGBTQ Catholics and allies robustly participated in the local listening phase of the Synod on Synodality. With that phase concluding and the next beginning, New Ways Ministry will host a panel of global advocates to converse about their experiences of this synodal process so far. This 75-minute webinar is a time to pause, reflect, and consider next steps. Participants will explore questions like: Which insights were most pronounced? What lessons have been learned? How do we proceed from here?

Featured Panelists

Dr. Alfred Pang (Singapore) has a PhD in Theology and Education from Boston College. He is currently an independent researcher and educator in Singapore. Being in a diocesan ministry that looks into the pastoral care of LGBTQ+ Catholics, Alfred helped design and facilitate the spiritual conversations for them and their loved ones during the Synod. He also contributed to the writing of the report based on these conversations.

Mara Klein (Germany) is an under 30 member of the Synodal Way and is involved in its forum on love, sexuality, and relationships. They have a Masters of Education in English and religion, and work at the University of Münster for the Department of Christian Social Ethics.

Antonio Ortiz (Mexico) is the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics board representative from the Latin American and Caribbean region. He is co-founder of the Mexico Network of Rainbow Catholics (Red Católica Arcoíris México, or REDCAM), and has been its coordinator since 2018. He was also coordinator of Efetá, a gay Catholic community in Mexico City. Antonio holds a Diploma in Spirituality and Youth, and has held several youth ministry roles, including with the Jesuits and the Archdiocese of Mexico. He also holds a BA in Graphic Communication Design from the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM).

Ursula Halligan (Ireland) is the former political editor of TV3 in Ireland, writer and committed Catholic. She is the Joint Coordinator of We Are Church Ireland, a voluntary group that works for justice in the Roman Catholic Church – including on matters to do with sexuality and gender. She is also a member of the Inter-Religious Advisory Board for the UK based Ozanne Foundation. In 2015, she came out publicly in the national media, just ahead of the same-sex marriage referendum, which many believe helped influence the vote. She was Journalist in Residence at Dublin City University until December 2021. Earlier this year she graduated with an MPhil in Theology from Trinity College, Dublin.

Dumisani Dube (South Africa) is a Zimbabwean-born LGBTI activist living in South Africa. He is the leader of Holy Trinity Catholic LGBTI Ministry based in Johannesburg. His ministry was tasked with leading the listening circles for this synod in the Diocese of Johannesburg.

Benjamin Oh (Australia) is the co-chair and founder of Rainbow Catholics InterAgency for Ministry. The umbrella body brings together LGBTIQA+ affirming Catholic agencies, organizations, groups and ministries around Australia working to build a more just and pastoral church with LGBTIQA+ Catholics and their families. Benjamin works and teaches in areas intersecting cross-cultural education, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, human rights, racial justice, international aid development, LGBTIQA+ religious realities, and peace and conflict studies.

Robert Shine (United States) is the Associate Director of New Ways Ministry, where he has served since 2012. He has degrees in theology from The Catholic University of America and the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.