Pope Francis said this week that he is “united in prayer” with participants in a conference for Catholics who identify as LGBT taking place this weekend in Washington DC (United States).
Father James Martin, a controversial Jesuit priest who founded the pro-LGBT group Outreach in 2022, told him would have asked to Pope Francis if you would like to send greetings to the group’s 2024 meeting, which takes place from August 2 to 4 at Georgetown University, in the US capital. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, will celebrate Mass Saturday at the event.
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According to Vatican NewsPope Francis sent a brief response saying he was pleased that the Archbishop of Washington will celebrate Mass for the 350 attendees expected at the conference.
The Holy Father also said that he is “united in prayer” with those participating in the conference and prayed that “Jesus blesses them and that the Holy Virgin takes care of them.”
Pope Francis has received on several occasions to Father Martin in private audiences at the Vatican and has expressed his support to his ministry to those who identify as LGBT, urging him to “keep it up.” Over the years, critics Martin has been accused of rejecting catholic teaching about the sinfulness of homosexual acts, but he has insisted in that it does not reject the teaching of the Church.
Outreach’s 2024 conference was organized for “LGBTQ laity, clergy, scholars, artists, educators, students, and family members to build community, share best practices, and worship together,” its website says.
The meeting has among its sponsors America Media, Creighton University and the dissident Catholic group DignityUSAwhich in recent years has organized “blessing” events to commemorate LGBT Pride Month.
The conference is scheduled to include panels on “LGBTQ Ministry in Parishes,” “Raising LGBTQ Children,” and “Race, Intersectionality, and LGBTQ People,” as well as a panel titled “Gifts of a Life of Chastity.”
The conference will also include a talk by a Catholic who identifies as transgender, Maxwell Kuzma, who has expressed its intention to “(celebrate) queer theology and trans joy” at the conference.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Jonah McKeown
Jonah McKeown is an editor and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, radio producer and videographer.