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Question for Synod: How Can Bishops Learn to Be Listeners?

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At the synod's daily press briefings,  each guest, whether bishop, cardinal, youth, nun, or priest, has unanimously declared that the synod has been a unique experience of exchanging ideas between the bishop and other "adult" delegates with the youth delegates.  I have to admit that at first I was a bit skeptical about the description of an atmosphere where everybody gets along and all are willing to share their ideas openly and also to listen in an equally open manner.   But, I've come to believe that there may be truth in these descriptions.   Read More

While Archbishop Blames Gay Priests for Abuse, Cardinal and Other Catholics Reject Such Theories

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A leading U.S. bishop has firmly rejected any suggestion that gay priests have been a cause of clergy sexual abuse, joining a growing number of other Catholics who have refused to let such homophobic narratives go unchecked. Read More

Gay Church Worker Is Victim of Repeated Hate Crimes Due to Right-Wing Catholic Campaign

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A gay church worker has been the target of yet another hate crime spurred on by rightwing Catholic groups, which left him questioning whether to remain in ministry and should be a moment for church leaders to reject anti-LGBT hate unequivocally. Read More

Fr. James Martin to Youth Synod: Use “LGBT” Language, Affirm Lesbian/Gay Couples as Family

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Reports from the Synod on Youth indicate that LGBT issues are being raised in at least two ways: whether to use the term "LGBT" in a church document and whether to refer to same-gender couples and their children as "families." Read More

Three Synod Reports Highlight How Much LGBT Education Bishops Need

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On Tuesday, the synod released the reports from the small group discussions that have been happening. Want to know if LGBT issues were mentioned? Read More

Questions About Church Oppression Against LGBT and Women Are Raised at Synod Briefing

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The connection between LGBT issues, which Bondings 2.0, has highlighted before, was on display at the Vatican's Synod on Youth over the past few days.  The oppression of one group is often intimately linked to the other.  And neither LGBT people or women will have full equality in the church until both groups have it.  Read More

Would St. Oscar Romero Use the Term “LGBT” and Recognize a Queer Couple’s Love?

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His cause stalled for nearly four decades, the institutional church finally recognized yesterday what the people of God have known all along: Monseñor Oscar Romero is a saint! With the Synod on Youth underway in Rome, I suggest here that this newly-canonized, but longtime saint can lead us forward towards LGBT liberation. Read More

Should LGBT People Be Pastorally Accompanied by Guides or Listeners?

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Pastoral ministers should accompany LGBT people. But should they do that by guiding or listening? Why is that an important distinction? Read More

Bishop: Church Should Welcome Lesbian/Gay People, But Also Call Them to Conversion

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At yesterday's synod press briefing, Bishop Robert Barron said, ""The church’s first move in regard to everybody," including gay and lesbian people "is to reach out and say just that, 'You’re a beloved child of God.' " But that's not all he said.  Read More

Papal Advisor Calls for Church to Welcome LGBT Christians First as Baptized Christians

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LGBT Christians must be welcomed fully into the church, said an Italian bishop, because what matters first is their identity as Christians who are wholly part of the baptized faithful. Read More