Advertisement Daughters of CharityICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

New study shows Catholic Church in England & Wales improves LGBT welcome significantly


Source: LGBT+ Catholics Westminster

A new study from an ecumenical academic coalition has revealed considerable progress over the past five years in LGBTQ+ affirmation in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

The LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council, a long-standing member of the ecumenical European Forum of LGBTI + Christian Groups is pleased to announce that the Catholic Church in England & Wales has been rated joint-second with Belgium in a survey of European Catholic Churches in the growing inclusion and affirmation of LGBT+ Catholics in the Church. The German Catholic Church led the table. The Church in England & Wales was rated 22nd in the overall survey of European Anglican, Orthodox, & Protestant Churches.

Martin Pendergast, Secretary of the LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council said: "This shows the impact that the officially recognised, seven diocesan LGBT+ Catholic affirming ministries have had in England & Wales. The Church in England & Wales now has to implement the various calls made during the recent Synodal consultations. It needs to reframe its 1979 LGBT+ pastoral guidance by adopting more welcoming and inclusive language and press the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to do likewise, not least in opening up the celebration of same-gender blessings and liturgies."

On 11 October, the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups presented the second edition of the Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe (RICE). The index measures the inclusivity of churches towards LGBTI+ people. The inclusivity index is unique and gives both LGBTI+ people (of faith) and churches themselves a highly informative insight in the ongoing process of inclusivity in churches throughout the European continent.

The Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe (RICE) that measures LGBTI+ inclusivity in churches throughout Europe consists of 52 criteria. The position of LGBTI+ people in their churches is measured based on the categories 'institutional equality and non-discrimination', 'church practices', 'language and speech' and 'public policy'.

An international team of academic scholars built on the framework for the first edition of RICE.

Dr Regina Elsner, professor of Eastern Church Studies and Ecumenical Theology at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the Universität of Münster, said: "The data we received from the churches show the great impact of the local dialogues, which have been initiated since RICE 2020 by Pope Francis with the Synodal Process. All respondents admit the increasing awareness for the diversity within the church and the encouraging effects of a growing affirmative pastoral approach. However, harmful exclusive language, double standards and alliances with right-wing actors remain a challenge all over Europe."

The Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe (RICE) uniquely brings together information about the situation of LGBTI+ people in their churches. 46 churches were rated, resulting in a big amount of useful data on the inclusivity of LGBTI+ people.

Misza Czerniak, Co-President of the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups said: "According to the data of the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency, approximately one third of LGBTI+ people in Europe are people of faith. That is a huge group of people who are quite invisible due to the lack of proper inclusion. This is why it is so important for us to analyse what the churches say and do to make the LGBTI+ people feel welcome or, unfortunately,rejected. The second edition of RICE has broadened our understanding of the situation and equips us for deeper conversations with the religious communities. We want to convey the message: the change is taking too long."

The European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender and Intersex Christian Groups is an ecumenical association of LGBTI+ Christian groups in Europe, founded in 1982. The European Forum aims to achieve equality and inclusion for LGBTI+ people within and through Christian churches and other religious bodies and multilateral organisations. With over 40 member groups from 20 countries in Europe, the European Forum works for freedom of religion for LGBTI+ people, for human rights, for the dignity of LGBTI+ people and for an affirmative discourse on human sexuality.

LINKS

LGBT Christians: www.lgbtchristians.eu.

Inclusive Churches: https://inclusive-churches.eu/

Adverts

The Archbishop Romero Trust

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon