In light of the announcement by the Vatican inviting the presidents of all national bishops’ conferences and leaders of Eastern churches to a synodal meeting in October 2026 to mark the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, the GNRC invites our members to participate in this event by submitting testimonies of your story about what the lived experience of a LGBTIQ+ family means for you.
These church leaders are being asked “to proceed, in mutual listening, to a synodal discernment on the steps to be taken in order to proclaim the Gospel to families today, in light of Amoris Laetitia and taking into account what is currently being done in the local Churches” according to the invitation.
The invitation to the meeting also says that those gathered will spend time “welcoming the lived experiences of families; sharing concrete stories of life.” However, apart from a brief reference to cohabiting couples, it is clear that the meeting’s framework is aimed at addressing heterosexually married couples with children, and prioritizes the needs of these families. We have attached a copy of the Framework for this meeting for your information.
In an effort to remind those organizing this gathering, as well as its attendees that our church must embrace a wide variety of family configurations, the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) is inviting our members and friends to submit stories from the full range of families that include LGBTIQ+ people. This can include parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives of LGBTIQ+ people, LGBTIQ+ people who are raising or have raised children who come into the family in a variety of ways, LGBTIQ+ who want to share their experiences of their birth families, LGBTIQ+ people who are family caregivers, LGBTIQ+ people who have created chosen families that do not reflect “traditional” models, and more.
We invite you to send a written testimony, an audio recording, or a video, in any language, with your story to Secretary@gnrcatholics.org. You can use your name(s), pseudonym(s), or no name at all. Pictures are welcome but not required.
Deadline has been extended to 25 September 2026 to allow time for submissions .
GNRC Board members will compile these stories from our community and submit them to the meeting’s attendees. This is our way of providing testimony from LGBTIQ+ Catholics and our family members to church leaders on the realities and needs of our community. It is another opportunity for us to participate in the synod process, and to engage with the leaders of our church worldwide. We urge you to share this invitation with your members and encourage their participation.
Thank you for your ongoing work on behalf of the LGBTIQ+ Catholic community. We look forward to the richness of the stories we will receive.
In hope,
The GNRC Board of Directors
Paolo Alacqua, Australia, Co-Chair
Ruby Almeida, UK/India, Media Officer
Agnes Burg, France, Treasurer
Marianne Duddy-Burke, USA, Co-Chair
Wanjiru Kariuki, Kenya, At Large
Inez Pujol, Costa Rica, Diversity Officer
Maritza Fuenzalida Salas, Chile, At Large
Christopher Vella, Malta, Secretary