Cardinal Wilton Gregory (CNS/Justin McLellan)
Speaking at a US conference for Catholics who identify as LGBTQ, Cardinal Wilton Gregory stressed the need for unity in what he called “an extraordinary if not risky moment for our Church and country”. Source: CNA.
In his homily, the Archbishop of Washington DC said that “the presence and the pastoral needs of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers may often be viewed as a volatile topic, but they must be faced with sincerity and genuine compassion.”
He shared his hopes that the Outreach conference would advance the goal of making the Church and the US “stronger, holier, and more welcoming”.
According to the conference website, Outreach “gathers LGBTQ laypeople, clergy, scholars, artists, educators, students, and family members to build community, share best practices, and worship together”.
The conference was organised by Outreach, a Catholic LGBTQ resource group founded by Jesuit priest and theologian Fr James Martin.
This year the conference took place at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, on August 2-4. The event included several talks, panel discussions, times for prayer, and social events. Topics included “parenting LGBTQ children,” “transgender Catholics and the Church,” “the Bible and homosexuality,” and “gifts of a life of chastity”.
By presiding over the Saturday Mass in Georgetown’s Dahlgren Chapel, Cardinal Gregory became the first cardinal to participate in the conference.
He praised conference attendees for being “dedicated to the pursuit of our becoming a more inclusive family of faith, welcoming others in spite of our differences.”
He said that such a pursuit is an “act of synodality” and that “sincerely and openly speaking and listening to one another under the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit is the way that the Church grows in perfection.”
Pope Francis also expressed spiritual closeness to the conference, saying in a July 11 note to Fr Martin that he was “glad” that Cardinal Gregory would celebrate the opening Mass.
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Cardinal Gregory stresses need for unity at Outreach LGBTQ conference (By Peter Pinedo, CNA)
