全球天主教彩虹网络：同志身份与神职并无矛盾

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

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我们注意到从教宗方济各对教会接纳同志人士的积极步伐的一步危险退步。在最新的《神职圣召的恩赐/The gift of the priestly vocation》文件中，圣职部（The Congregation for the Clergy）以充满歧视性的言语强调了对同志人士进入修院并最终晋铎的一些要求。

全球天主教彩虹网络主张教会应该接纳并平等对待同志平信徒及他们的家人，我们同样认为那些建树教会的度奉献生活的男男女女也应该在教会内被平等对待。「在我们网络大家庭里有一些悲剧性的案例，他们的同志身份被发现后，不得不忍痛离开了修道生活。在极端的案例里，他们甚至被公开曝光。」卢比·阿尔梅达（Ruby Almeida，全球天主教彩虹网络两位主席之一、英国同志教友团体Quest主席）如是说。「一旦他们被修院除名，这些前同志修生的信德将因疏离感、抑郁、巨大的失落感和困惑而备受煎熬。他们希望将生命奉献给耶稣的召叫被这充满歧视性的措施彻底打碎。」

将同志人群拒之于教会神职体系外，而非对这些回应圣召的男女尊严以待，是非常阴暗负面的做法。「教会的许多文件声明，同志蒙召为守贞洁，他们的性无需被表达，然而稍后又提到，他们选择神职是不合适的。这双重信息扭曲了教会的公信力。我们不应忽略在圣职部的部分文件中，使用过一些微妙的同性爱论调的言语来描述耶稣与神父之间亲密排他的关系。」迈克尔·布林克施罗德博士（Michael Brinkschroeder，全球天主教彩虹网络两位主席之一、德国「同性恋与教会」的项目负责人）如是说。「你不能指望一个人生活在不断被抨击（slamming doors）及矛盾的信息中，还能保持身心良好的健康状态。」

尽管这份新文件是特别针对男同性恋者的，但它制造了一个先例。「那女同性恋者、双性恋者、跨性别者和女性兼性人（intersex women）又当如何？她们是否也会被同等要求？我们希望看到并遇到一份有建设性的并能影响深远的方案，以帮助我们在教会内的工作，一旦我们发现并决定生活出度奉献生活的圣召。」卢比·阿尔梅达如是说。

这份文件中出现了诸如「Homosexual Tendency」和「克服Homosexuality」的表达，这些表达取消了人类性取向（sexual orientation）的价值，可被视为潜意识的同性矫正治疗。「新文件未尊重准备晋铎的同志修道者的道德及精神的健全性。因为它试图基于对同志无知理解的情况下通过有争议的圣职准则，以代替自己的良知。」迈克尔·布林克施罗德如此总结。

全球天主教彩虹网络理会

2016年12月8日

（爱若翻译）

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics 2016

Website: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

Twitter: GNRCatholics Facebook: GlobalNetworkofRainbowCatholics

The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) brings together organizations and individuals who work for pastoral care and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) people and their families. The Network works for inclusion, dignity and equality of this community in the Roman Catholic Church and society. The GNRC was founded in October 2015 at the Rome conference, “Ways of Love”, with 80 participants from 30 countries. To date, the GNRC represents 25 groups of LGBTQI Catholics, their families and friends from all continents.

A GNRC declara: Não há contradição entre ser uma pessoa LGBTI e o apelo à vocação religiosa

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

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Dezembro 8, 2016. Observamos uma perigosa regressão, relativamente aos passos previamente dados pelo Papa Francisco, a favor da inclusão das pessoas LGBTI na Igreja. No recentemente editado O Dom da Vocação Presbiteral (Dezembro 8, 2016), a Congregação para o Clero mantem, com a sua linguagem altamente discriminatória, os procedimentos a seguir para com homens não heterossexuais que ingressem em Seminários e eventualmente se tornem sacerdotes (Paginas 78, 81 y 82).

Nós, Rede Global de Católicos Arco-íris (GNRC), permanecemos firmes na inclusão e pela justiça para com os laicos LGBTI e suas famílias na Igreja. Também declaramos que todos os homens e mulheres religiosos, que seguiram o chamamento de Deus para dedicar a sua vida à construção da Igreja, merecem o mesmo tratamento. “Houve trágicos exemplos, dentro da nossa família da GNRC, onde alguns membros que frequentaram previamente em seminários, lamentavelmente tiveram que renunciar à sua vocação escolhida uma vez que a sua orientação sexual foi descoberta e, em alguns casos, exposta publicamente.”, afirma Ruby Almeida Co-diretora da GNRC e Diretora da Quest (Inglaterra). “Uma vez excluídos do seminário, estes crentes, homens de fé homossexuais sofreram de isolamento, depressão e um imenso sentido de perda e confusão. O seu plano de vida de seguir Jesus foi destroçado por estas práticas discriminatórias” indica.

Empurrar as personas LGBTI para fora da Igreja, em vez de serem tratadas com respeito e dignidade em virtude do seu chamamento vocacional, impôs um tom obscuro e reacionário. “A Igreja afirma em muitos documentos que as pessoas LGBTI deveriam viver em celibato, sem necessidade de expressar a sua sexualidade, mesmo quando diz que o sacerdócio não é uma alternativa. Esta dupla mensagem vinculante distorce a credibilidade da Igreja. Não devemos esquecer a linguagem de uma sedução homoerótica encoberta, no que se refere a uma íntima e exclusiva relação entre o sacerdote e Cristo que a Congregação para o Clero utiliza várias vezes no documento,” explica o Dr. Michael Brinkschroeder Co-diretor da GNRC e chefe de projeto de Homosexuelle und Kirche (Alemanha). “Não se pode esperar pelo bem-estar, a saúde espiritual e mental de uma pessoa quando constantemente lhe indicas uma forma de viver construída a partir do fechar de portas e baseada em mensagens contraditórias”, indica.

Apesar de que o novo protocolo publicado hoje se refere particularmente a homens homossexuais, cria um precedente para todos os LGBTI Católicos, “O que é que se passa com uma mulher lésbica, bissexual, transgénero ou intersexo? Supõe-se que devemos seguir o mesmo caminho tortuoso? O que queremos ver e encontrar é um caminho construtivo e significativo de viver ao serviço da Igreja, uma vez que descobrimos e desejamos viver a partir de uma vocação religiosa”, assinala Ruby Almeida.

Muitas expressões como “Tendência Homossexual” e “Superada” (a Homossexualidade) fazem parte da secção, a qual se relaciona com a anulação da orientação sexual, que pode ser interpretada como um guia subliminar para una terapia reparadora. “O novo protocolo não respeita a integridade moral e espiritual dos candidatos gay ao sacerdócio, pois tenta substituir a sua própria consciência por normas questionáveis de uma hierarquia baseada num entendimento mal informado da homossexualidade”, conclui Michael Brinkschroeder.

Rede Global de Católicos Arco-íris 2016

Sitio Web: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail:rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

Twitter: GNRCatholics Facebook: GlobalNetworkofRainbowCatholics

A Rede Global de Católicos Arco-Íris (GNRC) é formada de organizações e indivíduos que trabalham pelo cuidado pastoral e pela justiça para com pessoas lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, transexuais, queer, e intersexuais (LGBTQI) e suas famílias. A rede trabalha pela inclusão, dignidade e igualdade desta comunidade na Igreja Católica Romana e a sociedade em geral. A GNRC foi fundada em outubro de 2016 na conferência de Roma, “Os Caminhos do Amor”, com 80 participantes de 30 países. À data a GNRC representa 25 grupos de católicos LGTBQI, as suas famílias e amigos de todos os continentes.

La GNRC declara: No hay contradicción entre ser una persona LGBTI y el llamado vocacional religioso

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

Chinese / English / Español / Français / Italiano / Portugues

Diciembre 8, 2016. Observamos una peligrosa regresión, respecto a los pasos previamente dados por el Papa Francisco, a favor de la inclusión de las personas LGBTI en la Iglesia. En el recientemente editado El Don de la Vocación Presbiteral (Diciembre 8, 2016), la Congregación para el Clero mantiene, con su lenguaje altamente discriminatorio, procedimientos a seguir para hombres no heterosexuales que ingresen a Seminarios y eventualmente se conviertan en sacerdotes (Paginas 78, 81 y 82).

Nosotros, La Red Global de Católicos Arcoíris (GNRC), permanecemos firmes por la inclusión y justica de los laicos LGBTI y sus familias en la Iglesia. También declaramos que todos los hombres y mujeres religiosos, que siguieron el llamado de Dios para dedicar su vida por la construcción de la Iglesia, merecen el mismo tratamiento. “Ha habido trágicos ejemplos, dentro de nuestra familia de la GNRC, donde algunos miembros que han estado previamente en seminarios, lamentablemente han tenido que renunciar a su vocación escogida una vez que su orientación sexual ha sido descubierta y, en algunos casos, sobre expuesta públicamente.”, afirma Ruby Almeida Co-directora de la GNRC y Directora de Quest (Inglaterra). “Una vez excluidos del seminario, estos creyentes hombres de fe homosexuales han sufrido de aislamiento, depresión y un inmenso sentido de perdida y confusión. Su plan de vida de seguir a Jesús ha sido destrozado por estas prácticas discriminatorias” indica.

Empujar a las personas LGBTI de la Iglesia, en lugar de ser tratadas con respeto y dignidad en virtud de su llamado vocacional, ha impuesto un tono oscuro y reaccionario. “La Iglesia afirma en muchos documentos que las personas LGBTI debieran vivir en celibato, sin la necesidad de expresar su sexualidad, aun cuando luego dice que el sacerdocio no es una alternativa. Este mensaje doble vinculante distorsiona la credibilidad de la Iglesia. No debemos tampoco olvidar el lenguaje de una seducción homo-erótica encubierta, respecto a una íntima y exclusiva relación entre el sacerdote y Cristo que la Congregación para el Clero utiliza varias veces en el documento,” explica el Dr. Michael Brinkschroeder Co-director de la GNRC y jefe de proyecto de Homosexuelle und Kirche (Alemania). “No se puede esperar el bienestar, de la salud spiritual y mental, para alguien cuando constantemente le indicas una forma de vivir construida desde el cierre de puertas y basada en mensajes contradictorios”, indica.

A pesar de que el nuevo protocolo publicado hoy se refiere particularmente a hombres homosexuales, crea un precedente para todos los LGBTI Católicos, “¿Qué pasa con una mujer lesbiana, bisexual, transgénero o intersexo? ¿Se supone que debemos seguir el mismo camino tortuoso? Lo que queremos ver y encontrar es un camino constructivo y significativo de vivir en el servicio a la Iglesia, una vez que descubrimos y deseamos vivir desde una vocación religiosa”, señala Ruby Almeida.

Muchas expresiones como “Tendencia Homosexual” y “Superada” (la Homosexualidad) son parte de la sección, la cual se relaciona a la anulación de la orientación sexual, que puede ser interpretada como una guía subliminal para una terapia reparativa. “El nuevo protocolo no respeta la integridad moral y spiritual de los candidatos gay al sacerdocio, pues intenta remplazar su propia conciencia por normas cuestionables de una jerarquía basada en un entendimiento mal informado de la homosexualidad”, concluye Michael Brinkschroeder.

Red Global de Católicos Arcoíris 2016

Sitio Web: www.rainbowcatholics.org Correo: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

Twitter: GNRCatholics Facebook: GlobalNetworkofRainbowCatholics

La Red Global de Católicos Arcoíris (GNRC) se conforma de organizaciones e individuos que trabajan por el cuidado pastoral y justicia para personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transexuales, queer, e intersexuales (LGBTI) y sus familias. La red trabaja por la inclusión, dignidad e igualdad de esta comunidad en la Iglesia Católica Romana y la sociedad en general. La GNRC fue fundada en octubre del 2015 en la conferencia de Roma, “Los Caminos del Amor”, con 80 participantes de 30 países. A la fecha la GNRC representa a 25 grupos de católicos LGTBI, sus familias y amigos de todos los continentes.

GNRC declares: There is no contradiction between being LGBTI and a religious vocational call

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

Chinese / English / Español / Français / Italiano / Portugues

December 8, 2016. We observe a dangerous regression from the previous steps taken by Pope Francis about LGBTI inclusion in the Church. In the recently edited The Gift of the Priestly Vocation (December 8, 2016),The Congregation for the Clergy contends, with its very discriminatory language, about procedures relating to non-heterosexual men joining seminars and eventually becoming priests (Pages 78, 81 and 82).

We, the GNRC, stand for inclusion and justice for LGBTI lay people and their families in the Church. We also declare that all religious men and women that followed God’s call to dedicate their life for the construction of the Church deserve the same treatment. “There have been tragic instances within our GNRC family where some members who had previously been in seminaries, sadly had to give up on their chosen vocation after their sexual orientation was discovered. And in a few cases, they were very publicly exposed.”, states Ruby Almeida Co-chair of the GNRC and Chair of Quest (England). “Once they are excluded from the seminary, these gay men of faith have suffered from alienation, depression and a huge sense of loss and confusion. Their life plan to follow Jesus has been shattered by these discriminatory practices” she said.

Pushing LGBTI people out of the Church, rather than them being treated with respect and dignity whilst on their vocational calling, has set a dark and reactionary tone. “The Church states in many documents that LGBT should live in celibacy, without needing to express their sexuality, yet later says that priesthood is not an alternative. This double-bind message distorts the credibility of the church. And we should not miss the language of a subtle homoerotic seduction into an intimate and exclusive relationship between the priest and Christ that the Congregation for the Clergy uses several times in the document,” explains Dr. Michael Brinkschroeder Co-chair of the GNRC and project-manager of Homosexuelle und Kirche (Germany). “You can’t expect healthy spiritual and mental well-being for someone when you are constantly addressing a way of living built by the slamming doors and based on contradicting messages”, he said.

Even if the new protocol published today refers particularly to homosexual men, it creates a precedent for all LGBTI Catholics, “What about lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex women? Are we supposed to follow the same tortuous path? What we want to see and encounter is a constructive and meaningful way of living in service of the Church, once we discover and desire to live out a religious vocation”, observed Ruby Almeida.

Many expressions such as ‘Homosexual Tendency’ and ‘Overcome it’ (Homosexuality) are also part of the sub- text, which is about the nullification of human sexual orientation, which can be interpreted as a subliminal guideline for reparative therapy. “The new protocol doesn’t respect the moral and spiritual integrity of gay candidates for priesthood, because it attempts to replace their own conscience by disputable norms of a hierarchy that are based on an ill-informed understanding of homosexuality”, concludes Michael Brinkschroeder.

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics 2016

Website: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

Twitter: GNRCatholics Facebook: GlobalNetworkofRainbowCatholics

A Letter to All Delegates at the 2015 Synod on the Family

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

We are a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, and along with our loving families and friends, we have spent the last few days not far from you, in Rome, consolidating two years of work, which have advanced alongside your double Synod preparations.

Dear Sisters and Brothers at the Synod on the Family,

Greetings from the new-born Global Network of Rainbow Catholics!

We are a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, and along with our loving families and friends, we have spent the last few days not far from you, in Rome, consolidating two years of work, which have advanced alongside your double Synod preparations.

We come from over thirty countries, both as individuals and as representatives of groups, who have been involved with the flourishing of people like ourselves in the lives of our local churches, (as well as with many other tasks). The last years have not been an easy ride! Many in our Church thought that they were serving God by hating us, and some still do, especially among the hierarchy; but we can tell you with joy, that we have kept alive our Confession of the Catholic faith! We have kept the faith under persecution, and are ready to join with you in the joyful announcement of the Gospel to which Pope Francis has called us.

Because God is wonderful, we have found that through this life as dregs among the people of God, the Holy Spirit has given us a surprising (at least to us) capacity to stand up and be counted, not to be frightened of those who fear us, not to be resentful of the incapacity for approval, and the bureaucratic meanness of spirit and dishonesty to which we have regularly been subjected. We have learned that it is not what the Church can do for us, but what we can do for the Church that matters.

We need to be better prepared to join you in your task of spreading the Gospel and building up the families in which (as we have so often experienced ourselves) God delights. We need to support each other, and others more vulnerable than ourselves, at a worldwide level, especially in countries which criminalize us, and even think they are honouring God by killing us. We need to be able to share information, counter falsehood, encourage each other in our needs, and strengthen our families, especially where civil law does not yet respect them. So we have decided to set up a Global network, to bring together groups of LGBTI Catholics, our families and friends, as well as other Christians and people of good will. This will enable us to be much better prepared to share experiences, life stories, examples of best-practice: little miracles of love.

We want to set up our network in such a way that we can even be useful to you, though we know from long experience how frightened many of you are of communicating with us discreetly, even less talking to us on the record! Having learned, by living with Jesus, not to be dismayed by the falsehoods and calumnies concerning us to which some of you still seem wedded, and even pass off as “teaching of the Church”, you will find us resilient, because we know that we are loved. In the near-absence of visible shepherds, we have come to trust and love a Shepherd who was not ashamed to give himself to death for us, One whose voice we hear, with whom we are not in rivalry, and in whose light all others who call themselves shepherds can be tested for their fruits. Because of this, you may even be surprised to find us meek!

So we write to you to wish you encouragement for these days of your Synodal gathering, as well as for the months and years to come as we all begin to live the hints of the new that are coming to birth, discovering new ways of celebrating the family, rather than condemning wine that threatens to burst old wineskins. We are thrilled that you heard with us Pope Francis’ wonderful homily in Philadelphia last week, where he drew out the consequences of both Jesus’ and Moses’ rebuke to those who would hold back the Spirit.

We have prayed for you at every Mass at our meeting, and we ask you to pray for us, confident that we will soon be able to meet transparently, with joy. For we are amazed to have discovered that over the last few years, despite everything, and because nothing is impossible to God, we have become insiders with you in the life of the Gospel, and co-sharers in all your joyful tasks.

With warmest greetings from your rainbow sisters and brothers in Christ.

Rome, Feast of St Francis of Assisi, 2015

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics 2015

Website: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

Twitter: GNRCatholics Facebook: GlobalNetworkofRainbowCatholics

GNRC Resumen de Noticias: Mayo – Septiembre 2016

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

Este es un resumén de Noticias LGBTI Católicas ocurridas alrededor del mundo entre Mayo y Septiembre de 2016. Recibimos constantemente más Noticias para esta sección por lo que revisala semanalmente para actualizaciones.

English / Español

Nota: Debido al alto nivel de información disponible, esta sección no será traducida desde el lenguaje original en que fue publicada. Si cuentas con alguna contribución para ser incluida en esta sección, favor puedas contactarnos a través de nuestro e-mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

SEPTIEMBRE 2016

Inglaterra: La Iglesia de Westminster (Church of Westminster) está planeando una Peregrinación a Roma en Febrero 2017, estás interesado? El 2017 pareciera lejano, pero ahora es el momento para comenzar a prepararte para una gran experiencia de vida! La Peregrinación del 2015, al principio de la Cuaresma, excedió nuestras expectativas: tuvimos una gran compañía, experiencias gratificantes de oración y liturgia, la audiencia Papal, y conocer algunos aspectos LGBT de Roma en el pasado y el presente! 2 Peregrinos comentan: “Me encantó la Peregrinación, desde una perspectiva personal y comunitaria, compartir experiencias con Católicos LGBT a quienes sólo había conociendo en un contexto de Iglesia. Disfrute la calidez y el cariño que sentimos unos por otros. Conocer el grupo de New Ways Ministry y algunos hermanos LGBT italianos nos entregó el sentimiento de que somos una gran familia. Fuimos privilegiados de contar con miradores especiales y lugares para visitar, más allá de lo que las “Peregrinaciones Romanas” normalmente ofrecerían debido al inmenso conocimiento de Martin Pendergast sobre la ciudad” y “Estar en Roma con el Papa Francisco, para el inicio de la Cuaresma, fue maravilloso e hizo aún más especial y significativo al estar allí con un grupo de personas con las cuales podía estar relajado y ser yo mismo. Los lugares que visitaos nos inspiraron y las liturgias que compartimos nos conmovieron. Sin dudas iría nuevamente si otra peregrinación fuera organizada.”. Pude obtener más información de la Peregrinación del 2017 el sitio Web de la Iglesía de Westminster o contactándolos por e-mail a lgbtcatholicswestminster@gmail.com para más detalles.

México: Varios Obispos Mexicanos, apoyados por grupos Católicos conservadores, comenzaron una campaña de desinformación y ataques, luego de la propuesta del Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto por la aplicación a nivel nacional del Matrimonio Igualitario más allá del Distrito Federal. A principios de agosto, publicaron un Comunicado de Prensa que incluyó la mención “Que el Estado vuelva algo legal no lo hace moral.”. A mediados de septiembre una masiva marcha anti-matrimonio igualitario se realizó en varias ciudades a lo largo de México, pero la imagen de un pacífico niño de 13 años se volvió viral y representó a muchas personas que ven la inclusión de las personas LGBTI en la sociedad como un valor digno. “Nuestro país y las personas que pertenecen a la diversidad sexual y de género de nuestra sociedad, incluyendo a sus familias y amigos, sufre, siente rabia y observa con horror el clima polarizado y extremo que los grupos conservadores Católicos han creado recientemente”, dice Lilia Ruiz del grupo LGBT Católico Sembrando Unidad en la Diversidad (Seeding Unity in Diversity). Para más información lean los artículos sobre las Masivas Protestas de ABC y el Apoyo de los Obispos Mexicanos a las Terapias Reparativas de Bondings 2.0 (cortesía de New Ways Ministry).

Portugal: Caminar en la Diversidad (CaDiv, Caminhar na Diversidade) es una comunidad de homosexuales católicos de Oporto, Portugal, que acoge a todos las personas lgbti que a ella se quieran acercar y hacer parte, así como a sus familias. Está, también abierta a todos los hombres y mujeres, que se identifican con los valores humanos y cristianos del Evangelio y los quieran conocer más de cerca. CaDiv desea comunicar su calendario de actividades para el próximo mes de Octubre: El 17 de octubre tendrán una Memoria Litúrgica de Santa Margarida Maria Alacoque, que además es la fecha de la fundación de su comunidad. Para más información sobre CaDiv, puedes contactarlos por medio de Móvil (00 351) 918 273 798 o al correo electrónico caminharnadiversidade@gmail.com / Caminhar na Diversidade (CaDiv) é uma comunidade de homossexuais católicos do Porto, Portugal, que acolhe todas as pessoas lgbti que dela se queiram aproximar e fazer parte, assim como as suas famílias. Está, também aberta a todos os homens e mulheres, que se identificam com os valores humanos cristãos do Evangelho e o queiram conhecer de mais próximo. Celebramos de uma maneira especial certa data: 17 de outubro, Memória Litúrgica de Santa Margarida Maria Alacoque, data da fundação da nossa comunidade.

: Caminhar na Diversidade visiting the “Chipiona Gathering” this year.

: On May 17, CaDiv celebrated a Praying Vigil

Italia: Durante los preparativos del Día de la Familia, organizado por grupos conservadores Católicos, Camino de Esperanza (Cammini di Speranza), la primera asociación nacional LGBTI Cristiana italiana, dio sus primera contrapropuesta a través del lanzamiento de #chiesaascoltaci (“Iglesia, escúchanos”), una campaña sobre historias reales de vida, dirigida a una Iglesia que es la Casa de Todos, la cual debiera ser capaz de asegurar la harmonía, dignidad e igualdad dentro de la Iglesia Católica y en la sociedad entera. Cada capítulo de la campaña incluye un retrato hecho por Simone Cerio, un muy reconocido fotógrafo que ofreció su arte para dar un contexto visual a los relatos de historia/campaña/causa, quien incluso aparece en el Capítulo 17 de la misma. Revisen mensualmente por las actualizaciones pues más miembros, familias y amigos de Cammini di Speranza dan su testimonio y experiencia de vida.

AGOSTO 2016

África: Estamos felices de presentar la Red Inter-religiosa de Diversidad de Africa Occidental (Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa, ID NoWA), las cual fue fundada en agosto de este año. La ID NoWA es una red regional de activistas basados en sus creencias religiosas, personas LGBTI, abogados y activistas individuales trabajando por la inclusión de todo tipo de personas para crear un mundo gobernado por el respeto y al dignidad. Ellos buscan el día en que todas las personas, independiente de sus creencias religiosas, se vuelvan grandes aliados en la búsqueda de una sociedad libre y segura para todas las personas. Los convocantes de la red creen fuertemente que todas las personas nacen libres e iguales y debieran disfrutar de los mismos derechos humanos, junto con alcanzar su potencial pleno en una sociedad libre y amorosa. Independiente de tu historial, incluyendo las creencias, desde ahora te invitan a ayudar, ponerte en contacto y contribuir en la construcción del hermoso mundo que añoramos para todos. Para más información de ID NoWA pueden contactarse con Davis Mac-Iyalla, Co-Director (UK/Nigeria: dmaciyalla@gmail.com ); o con Ngozi Nwosu-Juba , Co-Director (Nigeria: ngonwosu@yahoo.co.uk ).

Australia: El Papa Francisco llamó a pedir disculpas a las personas gays y lesbianas y una iglesia Católica en Australia respondió. La Interagencia Católica Arcoíris para el Ministerio (Rainbow Catholic Interagency for Ministry) realizó una ‘Liturgia de Perdón’ para las personas LGBTIQ en la iglesia Católica de San José en Newtown el 12 Agosto del 2016. El evento histórico reconoció el daño causado por las acciones y omisiones de las personas e iglesias Católicas y Cristianas. “La histórica ‘Liturgia de Perdón’ de anoche, para las personas LGBTIQ, fue cálida y amorosamente recibida. Este es el principio de un proceso de reconciliación.”, dijo Benjamin Oh, miembro de Aceptación Sidney (Acceptance Sidney) el cual también es parte de la Interagencia Católica Arcoíris para el Ministerio. Obtén información detallada, sobre esta liturgia, desde el Blog del Padre Peter Maher o la crónica hecha por el diario gay Sydney Star Observer.

Colombia: La repercusiones por la intervención de la Iglesia en las políticas educacionales, sobre los temas de Orientación Sexual e Identidad de Género, son profundas. Un encuentro directo, entre los Obispos de la Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia y el Presidente de Colombia Juan Manual Santos, concluyeron con un Comunicado de Prensa donde el Presidente declaró que el Estado no soportaría ningún tema relacionado a la “Ideología de Género”. Así es que algunos Obispos se sintieron empoderados por este reciente y peligroso discurso. Fidel Ramirez, perteneciente a Otras Ovejas (Other Sheeps) y el proyecto DeGenerando, declaró “Lamentablemente, el nexo común es una gran falta de misericordia y mucho prejuicio, especialmente después de las menciones del Papa respecto a Enseñanzas sobre Género en las Escuelas, lo cual refleja que nuestras aprensiones previas, sobre su impacto negativo, no pueden ser subestimadas”. Revisa un articulo detallado sobre este tema en Bondings 2.0 (cortesía de New Ways Ministry).

España: La Asociación Cristiana de Gays, Lesbianas, Bisexuales y Transgénero de Catalunya (AGIL) participó en un taller de trabajo, durante el Festival Circuit en Barcelona, llamado “Homosexualidad y Religiones: Perspectivas y Diálogos” el 2 de agosto. El representante de ACGL, Jordi Valls declaro durante el taller: “Lo que nos pasa, como comunidad LGBTI, es que hemos sido maltratados por las religiones, así es que hemos tenido que huir de ellas con miedo”, pero por otra parte “si les cerramos la puerta, estaríamos rechazando la espiritualidad como un elemento portador de bienestar pleno”. ACGIL es un espacio de encuentro y libertad para todos los cristianos LGBTI que quieran compartir sus experiencias de vida, encontrar un consenso entre su fe y espiritualidad, para luego alcanzar el crecimiento personal. Ten más información sobre ACGIL en su Sitio Web.

JULIO 2016

Polonia: La Jornada Mundial de la Juventud llegó, a finales de Julio, y consideramos que era una perfecta oportunidad para dar visibilidad a la vida de las personas LGBTI, especialmente Católicas, en Polonia. En medio de este evento, el grupo Cristiano LGBTI Wiara i Tecza implementó un Refugio para Jóvenes Peregrinos y uno de los miembros más jóvenes de la GNRC tuvo la oportunidad de compartir con nosotros su experiencia como peregrino en la JMJ. Puedes encontrar más información sobre como el Refugio para Jóvenes Peregrinos fue propuesto e implementado en el Artículo de New Ways Ministry.

Vaticano: En Julio, el Papa hizo una fuerte declaración sobre la mal llamada “Ideología de Género”. Un concepto que no compartimos y es parte de una mayor confusión de conceptos, ligada a ignorancia y falta de empatía con la diversidad de Identidad de Género. Nosotros, como GNRC, expresamos nuestra respuesta por medio de un Comunicado de Prensa sobre la Enseñanza de Identidad de Género en las Escuelas y recibimos contribuciones adicionales desde Dignity USA y New Ways Ministry. Sin detenernos ahí, pensamos que era un buen momento para hablar sobla la inclusión de personas transgénero e intersexo en la Iglesia.

Togo: Afrique Arc-En-Ciel es una Organización No Gubernamental LGBTI que lucha contra el VIH y la promoción de igualdad de derechos para todos y especialmente para las minorías de la diversidad sexual. Para mayor información, puedes contactarte con Sheba K. Akpokli lafleursheba@gmail.com . Ella es una Togolesa en Lome, y da soporte a la asociación como Asistente Legal. “Nuestro mensaje principal es el de Igualdad, Respeto e Inclusión”, dice Sheba haciendo referencia a la Misión y Valores de la organización.

Hong Kong: La Diócesis Católica de Hong Kong ha criticado la propuesta de los legisladores respecto a modificar una ley para que las parejas del mismo sexo, casadas legalmente fuera de la isla, puedan reclamar las cenizas de su pareja fallecida para llevarlos a una Columbaria (sitio donde la Urna puede ser depositada). “Esperamos que aquellos que se oponen a la modificación puedan mirar esta situación con empatía. No dejemos que esto se vuelva parte del debate sobre la legalización de matrimonios del mismo sexo en Hong Kong,” dijo la comunidad LGBT. Casos de esposos, de parejas del mismo sexo, tratando de reclamar las cenizas de sus parejas fallecidas son inusuales “pero la situación refleja el como la discusión en torno a temas LGBTI se vuelve irracional,” declara un trabajador de la Iglesia que quiere mantenerse anónimo, añadiendo que “El Papa Francisco nos ha recordado muchas veces que la Iglesia debe ofrecer cuidado y apoyo pastoral a las personas LGBTI. Pareciera ser una tendencia, para las personas, el volver un asunto simple en uno complejo.”.

GNRC Global: Las marchas del Orgullo 2016 fueron celebradas alrededor del mundo y muchos de nuestros miembros se sumaron, podrás ver imágenes de su participación en la Pride 2016 Gallery. En paralelo, un estudiante Gay graduado de teología Católica de Singapur, que se encuentra estudiando en Estados Unidos, describió su primera participación en una Marcha del Orgullo, y lo que significó para él hacerlo tan pronto tras el Tiroteo de Orlando en un Artículo de New Ways Ministry.

JUNIO 2016

USA: Con profunda tristeza, por las trágicas noticias sobre el Tiroteo de Orlando en el pasado Junio, escribimos una Carta Dirigida a la Comunidad de Orlando y comenzamos una Campaña de Firmas para expresar nuestro lamento y solidaridad. Llamamos a nuestra comunidad LGBTI Católica a compartir sus respetos y conmiseraciones a través de Vigilias y Misas de Responso.

Vaticano: El Papa hizo una importante declaración en Junio, “Los Cristianos debiéramos disculparnos con las personas gay a quienes hemos ofendido”, así es que publicamos un Comunicado de Prensa sobre ello. Adicionalmente, Marianne Duddy-Burke, Directora ejecutiva de Dignity ISA, redacto un artículo sobre “Como un aspecto inesperado del Efecto Francisco podría impulsar la igualdad para las personas LGBTI”, considerando como todos los signos positivos podrían indicar que la Iglesia Católica estaría en camino de volverse un lugar más inclusivo, sino al menos receptivo, para las personas LGBTI.

Chile: Las declaraciones del Obispo Juan Ignacio González de San Bernardo (Chile), durante una Entrevista en TV el 15 de junio y a solo 3 días del Tiroteo de Orlando, “Ustedes deben entender que este tipo de legislación lo que hace es corromper más el tejido social de nuestra nación”, refiriéndose a la discusión sobre el Matrimonio Igualitario, generó una amplia cobertura mediática y también la reacción de muchos grupos activistas LGBTI. Aunque esta no es la primera vez que el Obispo González hace declaraciones agresivas a la comunidad LGBTI, sus palabras “crean un profundo impacto en muchos Católicos LGBTI chilenos”, declara Cecilia Ramirez, Directora de PADIS+ (Pastoral de la Diversidad Sexual).

China (1): 153 Cristianos LGBT y sus familias se reunieron en Hangzhou (provincia de Zhejiang), entre el 8 y 11 de junio en la misma ciudad donde se realizó la cumbre del G20, para participar en un retiro organizado por la Hermandad de Testigos Arcoíris de China (CRWF, China Rainbow Witness Fellowship (CRWF). Los convocados vinieron desde China continental, Hongkong, Taiwan, Singapur y Malasia. En el último día del encuentro, el Padre Francis celebró una homilía masiva con algunos Católicos y otros Cristanos para ofrecer a los cristianos arcoíris a Nuestra señora de los Dolores.

China (2): El 3 de junio, durante la fiesta del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, la Comunidad China de Católicos Arcoíris (CCRC, China Catholic Rainbow Community) comenzó su primera oración del rosario on-line. La plegaria continuará cada miércoles y viernes a las 9 pm usando “QQ”, una popular herramienta on-line disponible en China.

España: Ichthys Sevilla tuvo un intenso calendario de actividades entre mayo y junio. Una Vigilia por un Mundo sin Homofobia fue celebrada el 20 de mayo, creando un respetuoso ambiente de oración y testimonio compartido. Luego el 4 de junio, disfrutaron de la exposición y el taller de trabajo “¿Quién soy yo para juzgar? Una Perspectiva Sacramental” dirigida por el padre Pep Baquer sj. Finalmente el 11 de junio se reunieron en un encuentro ecuménico con el invitado especial Ain Karem, un muy talentoso grupo de música religiosa compuesto por Hermanas Carmelitas. A Ichthys Sevilla le gustaría recordar que desde octubre comenzarán a reunirse, todos los martes, para una Oración Silenciosa, así es que si deseas unirte a ellos puedes contactarlos a través de su e-mail comunidadichthys@gmail.com

Australia: Los australianos tendrán un plebiscito no vinculante, valorizado en más de 160 millones de dólares australianos, para consultar respecto al Matrimonio Igualitario. El reconocido grupo LGBTI Católico Acceptance Sidney, la organización activista Católicos Australianos por la Igualdad y la coalición para el cuidado pastoral LGBTI Inter-Agencia de Católicos Arcoíris para el Ministerio, han levantado sus aprensiones sobre los peligros de un plebiscito sobre Matrimonio Igualitario civil en Australia. “Un plebiscito, sobre Matrimonio Igualitario, provocará un discurso público que arriesga continuar el vilipendio y daño para la comunidad LGBTI, por medio de la ignorancia y deshonestidad, al conectarlos con otros proyectos como Escuelas Libres de Bulling o el de Subrogación por Dinero. Será otro ejemplo de heterosexuales hablando sobre personas LGBTI, y no con ellos, sobre hechos que se relacionan a Derechos básicos para las personas LGBTI”, dice el Padre Peter Maher. Peter es parte de la coalición para el cuidado pastoral LGBTI Inter-Agencia de Católicos Arcoíris para el Ministerio y ha expresado sentimientos similares en la editorial de The Swag, revista de publicación trimestral del Consejo Nacional de Sacerdotes de Australia. Benjamin Oh que es parte de Acceptance Sidney expreso que “Los Católicos LGBTI y sus seres queridos son ya marginados al silencio y amenazados. El Papa Francisco recientemente recordó y llamó a la Iglesia a disculparse por el daño que ha sido infringido a las personas homosexuales, reconociendo la vulnerabilidad de las personas LGBTI de ser constantemente sujetos de ofensa, ignorancia y prejuicio. Dada la divisoria naturaleza de un plebiscito, un voto libre en el parlamento, garantizando por el Primer Ministro, es la forma más apropiada de resolver este asunto”.

MAYO 2016

Australia: Newly installed Bishop of Parramatta Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv’s in his inaugural homily preached that “Pope Francis urges us to be a Church where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the Gospel. There can be no future for the living Church without there being space for those who have been hurt, damaged or alienated, be they abuse victims, survivors, divorcees, gays, lesbians or disaffected members.” The statement was warmly welcomed by LGBTI Catholics around the country. In a public statement, Australian Catholics for Equality congratulated the prelate, saying that “These are such welcomed words for so many of us, especially LGBTI Catholics and their loved ones who have been marginalised and deeply ‘hurt, damaged and alienated’ by the faith community they love. With such warm words, we look forth to the accompanying actions.” Vincent Long Van Nguyen came to Australia as are refugee from Vietnam and has a record of being outspoken on issues of social justice. Parramatta is the fifth-largest Catholic Diocese in Australia.

Bangladesh: The Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Dhaka in Bangladesh has joined rights activists in condemning the murders on April 25 of two leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocates. “The church always supports the demands of LGBT people for equal rights and opportunities as ordinary citizens,” said Convenor, Father Albert Thomas Rozario the priest who is also a Supreme Court lawyer. “We call on the authorities to ensure justice is meted out for the killings, and also to take steps to end discrimination against this community,” he added. The public statement came after suspected Islamic militants hacked to death Xulhaz Mannan, one of the founders of Bangladesh’s first and only LGBT magazine Roopbaan and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy, an actor and fellow gay rights activist in the capital Dhaka. Rosaline Costa, a Catholic and executive director of Hotline Human Rights Trust Bangladesh, said religion, social norms and the legal system can’t be used to disenfranchise the LGBT community. “God has given us freedom of choice and nobody is allowed to persecute people for their sexual orientation because of so-called traditional values based on conservative religious norms. A truly democratic society can’t accept abuse in the name of religion,” Costa said.

Philippines: Geraldine Roman became Philippines’ first transgender lawmaker. In the mostly Catholic country, Roman has been mocked and abused in the campaign trail in the lead up to the election win. Roman said that “If Jesus Christ was alive today, he would not approve of discrimination. I firmly believe that.” Geraldine Roman comes from a political family, where her mother has served as congresswoman for nine years. Know more about Roman from the Articles released by CNN and Bondings 2.0 (Courtesy of New Ways Ministry).

Malta: Drachma (LGBTI Pastoral Care Group, composed of LGBTQI Catholics and their families) launched a book, on May 17, called “Uliedna Rigal”, on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Addressing the occasion, President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca spoke of the need to continue raising awareness of violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons around the world. “The ILGA Europe recognized Malta as number one, when it comes to LGBTI rights in Europe,” she said, adding that there is more to do among families, communities and societies. The book offers answers to fundamental questions that were asked within this group, she explained. It will give strength to LGBTIQ parents who look to understand the experiences of others. The book is the fruit of eight years of work by Drachma Parents Group, together with the experience of the wider Drachma community. Joseanne Peregin, Coordinator of Drachma Parents Group said “Over the years, we have tried to answer our own questions, and it wasn’t easy. When meeting with other families, we realized there are common questions”. Chris Vella – coordinator of the Drachma LGBTI, thanked the parents who wrote down their experiences, and all those who helped make this dream a reality. He recalled that in a number of countries, the criminality of homosexuality is still practiced.

A GNRC declara: O discurso exagerado do Papa Francisco contra o “Género” expõe as contradições no seu propósito de apoio pastoral a pessoas LGBTI

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

A Rede Global de Católicos Arco-íris (GNRC) sente satisfação pelo facto de que o Papa Francisco tenha feito um maior reconhecimento das pessoas LGBTI e das suas famílias, durante a sua visita oficial à Geórgia e de imediato uma conferência de imprensa no seu regresso a Roma.

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A Rede Global de Católicos Arco-íris (GNRC) sente satisfação pelo facto de que o Papa Francisco tenha feito um maior reconhecimento das pessoas LGBTI e das suas famílias, durante a sua visita oficial à Geórgia e de imediato uma conferência de imprensa no seu regresso a Roma. As suas palavras contêm importantes mensagens sobre a forma como o Papa Francisco concebe o cuidado pastoral para com as pessoas LGBTI, como um acompanhamento no caminho para Jesus, o qual necessita de um imenso sentido de discernimento pessoal.

A sua intenção de rever as condições particulares e experiências vitais, das pessoas LGBTI, caso a caso e, na sua peculiar expressão, reconhecendo que a vida é a vida, dão um importante testemunho. “O Papa afirma que o cuidado pastoral para com as pessoas LGBTI é sempre a sua prioridade número um. Ele oferece um belo exemplo disso com a história do homem transgénero Espanhol, o qual demonstra a sua empatia e respeito pelos LGBTI Católicos”, indica Ruby Almeida, co-directora da GNRC e diretora da Quest no no Reino Unido.

Enquanto que a ênfase do Papa Francisco, colocada no cuidado pastoral com as pessoas LGBTI, é claramente um passo em frente na Igreja Católica, este tem também um lado sombrio. O qual se torna visível quando usa a expressão “Ideologia de Género”, como fez recentemente em Cracóvia durante a Jornada Mundial da Juventude e agora durante a sua viagem ao Cáucaso. Esta terminologia altamente confusa é frequentemente utilizada pela hierarquia Católica, em todo o mundo, para fazer retroceder os esforços em prol da aceitação e igualdade moral das pessoas LGBTI. “As distintas declarações, durante a sua viagem à Geórgia e Azerbaijão, expuseram, completamente, as contradições, dentro da estratégia do Papa Francisco, para manejar o assunto das pessoas LGBTI.”, declara Michael Brinkschroeder, co-director da GNRC e gestor de projeto de Homosexuelle und Kirche na Alemanha. “Se o discernimento pastoral não está baseado na aceitação da pessoa LGBTI e no reconhecimento da sua igualdade moral, sendo combinado com uma advertência exagerada sobre teorias de género, criam-se mensagens contraditórias. Estas são confusas e produzem dano psíquico. Se o Papa Francisco quer ser realmente um bom pastor para as pessoas LGBTI, necessita ordenar os seus pensamentos relativamente à mensagem que deseja comunicar.”.

Necessitamos ver uma mudança urgente para nos movermos desde a terminologia de “Tendência Homossexual” ou “Condição Homossexual”, ainda utilizada durante a conferência de imprensa, até à mais realista e apropriada que corresponde à “Orientação Sexual”. “O Papa Francisco suavizou as suas palavras quando fala sobre orientação sexual e identidade de género diversa. Contudo, no seu discurso, o Papa revela um alto nível de preconceito e de desconhecimento das experiências vitais de uma pessoa LGBTI. A GNRC ficaria contente se iniciasse um diálogo com o Papa para lhe permitir chegar a um entendimento mais holístico das necessidades espirituais e pastorais da nossa comunidade.”, dice Ruby Almeida.

Rede Global de Católicos Arco-íris 2016

Sitio Web: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

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La GNRC declara: El discurso exagerado del Papa Francisco en contra del “Género” expone las contradicciones en su idea de cuidado pastoral para personas LGBTI

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

La Red Global de Católicos Arcoíris (GNRC) aprecia que el Papa Francisco haya hecho un mayor reconocimiento de las personas LGBTI y sus familias, durante su visita oficial a Georgia y luego en una conferencia de prensa en su regreso a Roma.

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La Red Global de Católicos Arcoíris (GNRC) aprecia que el Papa Francisco haya hecho un mayor reconocimiento de las personas LGBTI y sus familias, durante su visita oficial a Georgia y luego en una conferencia de prensa en su regreso a Roma. Sus palabras contienen importantes mensajes sobre la forma en que el Papa Francisco concibe el cuidado pastoral para personas LGBTI, como un acompañamiento en el camino a Jesús, el cual necesita de un inmenso sentido de discernimiento personal.

Su intención de revisar las condiciones particulares y experiencias vitales, de las personas LGBTI, caso a caso y, en su peculiar expresión, reconociendo que la vida es la vida, dan un importante testimonio. “El Papa afirma que el cuidado pastoral para personas LGBTI es siempre su prioridad número uno. Él ofrece un muy buen ejemplo de ello con la historia del hombre transgénero Español, lo cual demuestra su empatía y respeto por los LGBTI Católicos”, indica Ruby Almeida, Co-Directora de la GNRC y Directora de Quest en el Reino Unido.

Mientras que el énfasis del Papa Francisco, puesto en el cuidado pastoral para personas LGBTI, es claramente un paso adelante en la Iglesia Católica, este tiene también un lado sombrío. El cual se vuelve visible cuando usa la expresión “Ideología de Género”, como hizo recientemente en Cracovia durante la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud y ahora durante su viaje al Cáucaso. Esta terminología altamente confusa es frecuentemente utilizada por la jerarquía Católica, en todo el mundo, para hacer retroceder en los esfuerzos en pro de la aceptación e igualdad moral de las personas LGBTI. “Las distintas declaraciones, durante su viaje a Georgia y Azerbaiyán, han expuesto completamente las contradicciones, dentro de la estrategia del Papa Francisco, para manejar el tema de las personas LGBTI.”, declara Michael Brinkschroeder, Co-Director de la GNRC y Gerente de Proyecto de Homosexuelle und Kirche en Alemania. “Si el discernimiento pastoral no está basado en la aceptación de la persona LGBTI y en el reconocimiento de su igualdad moral, siendo combinado con una advertencia exagerada sobre teorías de género, se crean mensajes doble vinculantes. Los mensajes doble vinculantes son confusos y producen daño psíquico. Si el Papa Francisco realmente quiere ser un buen pastor para las personas LGBTI, necesita ordenar sus pensamientos respecto a cuál es el mensaje que desea comunicar.”.

Necesitamos ver un cambio urgente para movernos desde la terminología de “Tendencia Homosexual” o “Condición Homosexual”, aún utilizada durante la conferencia de prensa, a la más realista y apropiada que corresponde a “Orientación Sexual”. “El Papa Francisco ha suavizado sus palabras cuando habla sobre orientación sexual e identidad de género diversa. Sin embargo, en su discurso, el Papa revela un alto nivel de prejuicio y de desconocimiento de las experiencias vitales de una persona LGBTI. La GNRC estaría complacida de iniciar un diálogo con el Papa para permitirle llegar a un entendimiento más holístico de las necesidades espirituales y pastorales de nuestra comunidad.”, dice Ruby Almeida.

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics 2016

Sitio Web: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

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GNRC declares: The exaggerated rhetoric of Pope Francis against “gender” exposes the contradictions in his pastoral care for LGBTI people

Posted on October 4, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) appreciates that Pope Francis has made major acknowledgements of LGBTI persons and their families during his last official trip to Georgia, and later in the press conference on his way back to Rome.

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The Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) appreciates that Pope Francis has made major acknowledgements of LGBTI persons and their families during his last official trip to Georgia, and later in the press conference on his way back to Rome. His words contain very important messages about the way Pope Francis envisions pastoral care for LGBT people as an accompaniment on the way to Jesus which needs a huge sense of proper discernment.

His intention of reviewing the particular conditions and life experiences, of LGBTI persons, case by case and in their particular expression recognizing that life is life, gives an important testimony. “The Pope claims that the pastoral care for LGBTI is always his number one priority. He offers a pretty good example of it with the story of the Spanish transgender man, which demonstrates his empathy and respect for LGBTI Catholics”, says Ruby Almeida, Co-Chair of the GNRC and Chair of Quest in the United Kingdom.

While the emphasis that Pope Francis puts on pastoral care for LGBTI persons is clearly a step forward in the Catholic Church, it also has a shadow side. This gets visible when he uses the expression “gender ideology” as he has recently done in Krakow during the World Youth Day and now again during his travels to the Caucasus. This highly confusing terminology is currently used by the Catholic hierarchy all over the world to push back the efforts towards acceptance and moral equality of LGBTI persons. “The different statements during his journey to Georgia and Azerbaijan have fully exposed the contradictions within Pope Francis’ strategy for dealing with the issue of LGBTI people”, declares Dr. Michael Brinkschroeder, Co-Chair of the GNRC and project manager of Homosexuelle und Kirche in Germany. “If the pastoral discernment is not based on the acceptance of the LGBTI person and on the recognition of her moral equality, but is combined with an exaggerated warning for gender theories, it creates double-bind messages. Double-bind messages are confusing and produce psychic harm. If Pope Francis really wants to be a good pastor for LGBTI persons, he needs to make up his mind about which message he wants to send.”

We need to see an urgent change to move away from terminology of the ‘Homosexual Tendency’ or ‘Homosexual Condition’, still referred to during the press conference, to the more real and proper one of ‘Sexual Orientation’. “ Pope Francis has softened his words when talking about sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Nevertheless, in what he says, the Pope does reveals a level of prejudice and a level of misunderstanding of the life experiences of LGBTI persons. GNRC would be most happy to start a dialogue with the Pope to enable him to get a more holistic understanding of our community’s spiritual and pastoral needs,” says Ruby Almeida.

Global Network of Rainbow Catholics 2016

Website: www.rainbowcatholics.org Mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com

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GNRC News Summary: May – September 2016

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Fernando Gonzales

This is a summary of Catholic LGBTI News around the world between May and September 2016. We receive constantly more News for this section so check it weekly for updates.

English / Español

Note: Due to the huge amount of available information, this section won`t be translated from its source original language. If you have any contribution to include in this section, please get in contact with us through our e-mail: rainbowcatholicsassembly@gmail.com /

SEPTEMBER 2016

England: The Church of Westminster is planning a Pilgrimage to Rome on February 2017 – Are you interested? 2017 might seem a long way off, but now’s the time to start saving up for an experience of a lifetime! The 2015 Rome pilgrimage, at the beginning of Lent, exceeded their expectations – great company, moving experiences of prayer and liturgy, Papal Audience, seeing some LGBT aspects of Rome, past and present! 2 Pilgrims’ comments: “Just loved the pilgrimage , from a personal – and a community aspect – sharing experiences with LGBT Catholics whom I had met only in a church context. I enjoyed the warmth and care we felt for each other. Meeting the New Ways Ministry group and local LGBT Italians gave us a feeling that we are part of a bigger family. We were privileged to have special insights and places to visit beyond what ‘Rome Pilgrimages’ would normally offer due to Martin’s immense knowledge of the city.” and “Being in Rome with Pope Francis for the commencement of Lent was wonderful and made even more special and significant by being there with a group of people with whom I was able to relax and be myself. The places we visited inspired us and the liturgies we shared moved us. I would certainly want to go again if another pilgrimage is organised.”. You can get more information of the 2017 Pilgrim in the Church of Westminster Website or contact them by e-mail lgbtcatholicswestminster@gmail.com for more details.

México: Many Mexican Bishops, supported by Catholics conservative groups, started a campaign of misinformation and attacks, after the proposal of President Enrique Peña Nieto on the national extension of Equal Marriage beyond the Federal District. At the beginning of August, they released a Press Release that included the mention “When the State turns something legal doesn´t make it moral”. By mid september a massive anti-marriage equality protest was made in several cities across México, but the picture of the peaceful response from a 13 years old kid turned viral and represented many people who see the inclusion of LGBTI people in society as a worthy value. “Our country and those people that belongs to the sexual and gender diversity of our society, including their friends and family, suffer, feel anger and watch with horror the polarized and extreme climate that Catholic conservative groups has recently created”, says Lilia Ruiz from the LGBT Catholic Group Sembrando Unidad en la Diversidad (Seeding Unity in Diversity). For more information read a detailed article of the Massive Protests from ABC and the Support from Mexican Bishops to Reparative Therapy from Bondings 2.0 (courtesy of New Ways Ministry).

Portugal: CaDiv (Walking in Diversity) is a Catholic LGBT Community from Oporto (Portugal) that welcomes all LGBTI people that would like to join them as well as their families. CaDiv is also open to al those men and women that identify themselves with the human cristian values from the Gospel and would ike to get a closer approach to its practice. On October 17th, during the conmemorative liturgy of Santa Margarida Maria Alacoque, they will also celebrate the foundation of their group. For further infotmation of CaDiv, you can get in contact with them through the mobile phone (00 351) 918 273 798 or the e-mail caminharnadiversidade@gmail.com.

: Caminhar na Diversidade visiting the “Chipiona Gathering” this year.

: On May 17, CaDiv celebrated a Praying Vigil

Italy: On the eve of the Family Day*, Cammini di Speranza, the first National Italian Association of LGBTI Christian, took its first steps towards launching #chiesaascoltaci (“Church, listen to us”), a campaign of real life stories, directed at a Church home for everyone, and which could be able to ensure harmony, dignity and equality within the Catholic Church itself and society. Each chapter of the campaign includes a photo portrait by Simone Cerio, a well-known Italian photographer who offered his art to give a visual to the written story/campaign/cause, who actually appears in Chapter 17 of the Campaign. Check monthly for the updates as more members, families and friends of Cammini di Speranza gives witness and testimony.

AUGUST 2016

Africa: We are happy to introduce the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (ID NoWA), which was founded on august 2016. The ID NoWA is a regional network of activists, faith based individuals, LGBTQI persons, advocates and individual activists working for inclusion of diverse persons to create a world governed by respect and dignity. They seek a day where all persons irrespective of religious beliefs become great allies in the quest for a safe and free society for all humans. The convener of the network strongly believe that humans are born free and equal and should enjoy their full human rights and achieve their full potentials in a safe and loving society. Irrespective of your background, belief, they hereby invite you to help connect and contribute to building this beautiful world we envision for all. For more information of ID NoWA you could get in contact with Davis Mac-Iyalla-Co-Chair (UK/Nigeria : dmaciyalla@gmail.com ) or Ngozi Nwosu-Juba-Co-Chair (Nigeria : ngonwosu@yahoo.co.uk ).

Australia: Pope Francis called for an apology to gay and lesbian people and a Catholic church in Australia has responded. The Rainbow Catholic Interagency for Ministry held a ‘Liturgy of Apology’ to LGBTIQ people at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Newtown on 12th August 2016. The historic event acknowledged the hurt caused by the action and inaction of Catholic and Christian people and churches. “Last night’s historic ‘Liturgy of Apology’ to LGBTIQ people was warmly and lovingly received, it is the beginning of a reconciliation process.”, said Benjamin Oh, member of Acceptance Sidney which is also part of the Rainbow Catholic Interagency of Ministry. Get more information detailed information about this important liturgy from Fr Peter Maher Blog or the review made by the Sydney Star Observer gay newspaper.

Colombia: The repercussion of the Church intervention in Educational Policies about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity issues are profound. A direct meeting, between the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference and the Colombia´s President Juan Manuel Santos, concluded with a Press Conference where the President declared that the State would not support anything related to “Gender Ideology”. So some Bishops feel empowered, by this recent and dangerous speech. Fidel Ramirez from Otras Ovejas (Other Sheeps) and project DeGenerando, declares “Sadly, the common link is a great lack of mercy and a lot of prejudice, especially after Pope Francis´ mentions of Gender Teachings on Schools, which reflects that our previous concerns of their negative impact just can´t be underestimated”. Check a detailed article about this issue from Bondings 2.0 (courtesy of New Ways Ministry).

Spain: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Association from Catalunya (ACGIL: Asociación Cristiana de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Transgéneros de Cataluña) participated in a workshop, during the Circuit Festival in Barcelona, called “Homosexuality and Religions: Perspectives and Dialogues” on august 2. The representative of ACGIL, Jordi Valls declared during the workshop: “What happens to us, as LGBTI community, is that we have been mistreated by the religions, so we have ran away from them with fear” but on the other side “if we slam the door to them we would be also rejecting spirituality as a plenitude bringer element”. ACGIL is a space of gathering and freedom for all the LGBTI Christians that want to share their life experiences, find a consensus between his faith and sexuality, and then reach their personal growth. Get more information of ACGIL on its Website.

JULY 2016

Polland: World Youth Day arrived, end of July, and we considered this a perfect opportunity to give visibility to the lives of LGBTI people, especially Catholics, in Poland. At the midst of this event, the LGBTI Christian group Wiara i Tecza developed a Young Pilgrim`s Haven and one of the GNRC youngest member had the chance to share with us his WYD pilgrim experience. Get more information about how the Young Prilgrim´s Haven was propposed and implemented in the New Ways Ministry Article.

Vatican: In July, the Pope made a strong statement about the so called “Gender Ideology”. A concept we don´t share as it´s part of a major missunderstod ligated to ignorance and the lack of empathy with Gender Identity Diversity. We gave our response trough a PR about Gender Identity teachings on schools and got more contributions from Dignity USA and New Ways Ministry. Not stopping there, we think it`s a good time to talk about inclusion of Transgender and Intersex people in the Church.

Togo: Afrique Arc-En-Ciel is a Non Governmental LGBTI Organization that fights against HIV and promotion for rights equality for everybody and specially for the sexual diversity minorities. For more information, you can get in contact with Sheba K. Akpokli lafleursheba@gmail.com . She is a Togolese residing in Lome, and supports the association as Legal Assistant. “Our main statement is Equality, Respect and Inclusion”, says Sheba making reference to the association Mission and Values.

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Catholic Diocese has criticized a lawmaker’s proposal to amend a law so that same-sex couples married legally overseas can reclaim the ashes of their deceased partner from a columbaria — a place where urns are stored. “We hope those who oppose the amendment should look at the issue with empathy. Do not [let] it become an issue about legalizing same-sex marriage in Hong Kong,” the LGBT community said. Cases of same-sex spouses trying to claim the ashes of a deceased partner are rare “but the issue itself reflects how discussions on LGBT issues have turned irrational,” a church worker who wants to remain anonymous added that “Pope Francis has reminded us many times that the church should offer pastoral concern to gay people. There seems to be a trend for people to turn a small issue into a big one,”.

GNRC World: The Pride parades of 2016 was celebrated around the world and many of our members joined it, you can see the images of them all on the Pride 2016 Gallery. Also a gay Catholic theology graduate student from Singapore, who is studying in the U.S., reflected on his first Pride participation, and what meant coming so soon after Orlando in the New Ways Ministry Article.

JUNE 2016

USA: With deep sadness at the tragic News of the Orlando Shooting last June, we wrote a letter directed to the Orlando Community and started a Signature Campaign to express our sorrow and solidarity. We called on our LGBTI Catholic community to share their respects and commiserations through vigils and masses.

Vatican: The Pope made a very important statement in June, “Christians should apologize to the gay persons whom it has offended”, so we wrotte a PR related to it. Additionaly Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive Director of DignityUSA, made an article about How an Unexpected Aspect of “The Francis Effect” May Further LGBTQ Equality considering all the positive signs could indicate that the Catholic Church may be on its way to becoming a more affirming, or at least accepting, place for LGBTQI people.

Chile: The statement of Bishop Juan Ignacio González from San Bernardo County in Chile, during a TV interview on June 15 and only 3 days after the Orlando Shooting attacks, “you may understand that this kind of Legislation what they do is to corrupt more the social structure of our nation”, when referring to Equal Marriage social discussion, generated a lot of media noise and also the reaction from many LGBTI advocacy groups. Even if this is not the first time that Bishop González makes agressive statements over the LGBTI community, his words “create a strong impact on many LGBTI Chilean Catholics” declares Cecilia Ramirez, Director of PADIS+ (Pastoral de la Diversidad Sexual).

China (1): 153 LGBT Christians and their families gathered in Hangzhou (Zhejiang province), between June 8th-11th in the same city where the G20 summit was held, to participate in a retreat organized by China Rainbow Witness Fellowship (CRWF). They came from Mainland China, Hongkong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. In the last day of the meeting, Fr.Francis celebrated a mass with some Catholics and other Christians to offer the rainbow Christians to our lady of seven sorrows.

China (2): On June 3, the feast of Sacred heart of Jesus, the China Catholic Rainbow Community (CCRC) started the first time online rosary pray. The pray will continue every Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 pm using “QQ” a very popular online tool in China.

Spain: Ichthys Sevilla had a strong Activities Calendar Between May and June. A Vigil for a World without Homophobia was celebrated, on May 20, creating a respectfull environment for praying and testimony sharing. Then on June 4, they enjoyed the exposition and workshop “Who am I to judge? A Sacramental Perspective” directed by Father Pep Baquer sj. Finnaly on June 11 they gathered an ecumenical meeting with special guest Ain Karem,a very talented religious music group composed of Sisters Carmelitas. Ichthys Sevilla would like to recall that since October they will beging a periodical Tuesday Silent Praying, so if you´d like to join them please get in contact through their e-mail comunidadichthys@gmail.com

Australia: Australian Non-Binding $160+ million Plebiscite on Marriage Equality. LGBTIQ affirming Catholic group Acceptance Sydney, advocacy organization Australian Catholics for Equality and LGBTIQ pastoral care coalition Rainbow Catholics InterAgency for Ministry have all raised concerns on the dangers of a plebiscite on civil Marriage Equality in Australia. “A plebiscite on Marriage Equality will produce a public discourse that risks continuing vilification and hurt within the LGBTI community through ignorance and dishonesty such as connecting it to the anti-bullying safe schools project or surrogacy for money. It will be another example of straight people talking about LGBTI people, and not with them, on issues that are about basic rights for LGBTI people,” said Father Peter Maher. Peter is part of the pastoral care coalition Rainbow Catholics InterAgency for Ministry and has expressed similar sentiments in the editorial of The Swag, the quarterly magazine publication of the National Council of Priests of Australia. Benjamin Oh who is part of Acceptance Sydney said that “LGBTI Catholics and their loved ones are already marginalised, silence and threaten. Pope Francis recently reminded and call out to the church to apologise for the hurt that have been inflicted on gay people, acknowledging the vulnerability of LGBTI people being constantly subjected to vilification, ignorance and prejudice. Given the divisive nature of a plebiscite, a free vote in parliament granted by the Prime Minister is the most appropriate manner to resolve the matter.”

MAY 2016