As electing-Cardinals prepare to enter the Conclave to elect a new Bishop of Rome, the Roman Catholic Church Working Group of the European Forum of LGBTI + Christian Groups urges them to hear not only the sound  of God’s Spirit in their discernment, but also that of the whole people of God including LGBTI+ voices. Many of the future Pope’s electors have participated in the recent three-year Synodal Process. Synodality, where everyone journeys together in deep listening, must be a lasting legacy of Pope Francis and a constitutive mark of the Church, along with it being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. 

As the late Pope extended the time of global Synodal consultation to October 2028, including submissions to the 10 Study Groups concerned with ‘complex and controversial issues’ at this present time, the Roman Catholic Church Working Group has offered the document, Names & Places at the Synodal Table (see below), to Study Group 9 which deals with LGBTI+ concerns, among other matters. This reflects the results of our exploration of the needs of LGBTI+ Catholics, parents and families. We now offer it to the College of Cardinals that they might take into account the practical implications of what an LGBT+ welcoming and inclusive Church and Papacy might entail. They will then have heard the voices which seek to build upon Pope Francis’ pastoral lead in strengthening the faith of his LGBT+ siblings, parents and families.

Names & Places at the Synodal Table:

CONTACTS: 

Michael Brinkschröder – Chair, EF Roman Catholic Church Working Group michael.brinkschroeder@web.de 
Miroslav Maťavka – Secretary, EF Roman Catholic Church Working Group miro@duhovi-krestania.sk 
Martin Pendergast – Secretary, LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council secretary@lgbtcatholicsWestminster.org +44 (0) 20 8986 0807