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German Cardinal, Key Bishop Endorse Church Blessings for LGBTQ Couples

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Two leaders of the German Bishops' Conference have opined in support of church blessings for same-gender couples. Read More

Diocese Supports Priest with Pattern of Denying Communion to, Firing LGBTQ Catholics

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A diocese in Michigan is backing one of its priest's decision to deny Communion to a longtime lesbian parishioner because of her same-gender marriage, part of an alleged pattern of Communion denials and LGBTQ church worker firings in the parish. Read More

Pope Francis’ Meeting with Fr. James Martin Rebukes Culture War Bishops, Raises Questions on Inclusion

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The private audience between Pope Francis and Fr. James Martin, SJ, reverberated through all sides of the LGBTQ equality debate in the Catholic Church. But beyond a papal affirmation of the latter's LGBTQ ministry, what significance is there to the meeting? Today's post features two commentaries on this question. Read More

Conservative Bishops Endorse Criticism of Fr. James Martin’s LGBT Ministry

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Conservative bishops in the U.S. have endorsed Archbishop Charles Chaput's criticism of Fr. James Martin, SJ, and his LGBT ministry, criticism on which the archbishop has doubled down.  Read More

Recent Steps Towards LGBTQ Inclusion Are Signs of Hope for Church

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"What would it mean for the institutional church to welcome L.G.B.T. Catholics?" That is the question posed by Fr. James Martin, SJ, in a new column for America where he shares three recent steps towards inclusion. Read More

Bishop Says He Is Ready to Be a Martyr in Defending Conversion Therapy Practices

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A Spanish bishop under investigation for putting worshippers, including minors, through an allegedly illegal conversion therapy process has told Catholics they must be ready to be martyrs in defense of the church's freedom to offer such practices. Read More

Pope Francis on LGBT People: “If we were convinced that they are children of God, things would change a lot.”

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Pope Francis has again commented on homosexuality, again clarifying in a recent interview that he does not believe lesbian and gay youth need psychiatrists and saying he is a "conservative" who believes it is "an incongruity to speak of homosexual marriage." Read More

German Diocese Begins Discussions of Blessing Same-Gender Relationships

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A German bishop has begun a process to discuss blessings for people in relationships that cannot be married in the Catholic Church, including same-gender couples. Read More

Bishop Gumbleton: “No Parent Should Ever Tell a Child That He or She Is Intrinsically Disordered”

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Longtime LGBTQ advocate Bishop Thomas Gumbleton has called for the Church to re-evaluate its teachings on homosexuality in light of science and pastoral care, particularly the use of the term "intrinsically disordered." Read More

Fr. James Martin Responds to Critics’ Charge of Atheism and Doctrinal Rejection

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Fr. James Martin, SJ, has offered a "friendly response" to two bishops who recently criticized LGBT ministry as rejecting church doctrine and promoting atheism. Read More