A pilgrimage for LGBTQ+ Catholics and their parents in the calendar of the Holy Year
Text by Ryan Adamczeski published in The Advocate (United States) on 11 December 2024. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project
Jonathan's tent, an association that accompanies Christians LGBTQ+ and their parents saw the jubilee pilgrimage included in the official Vatican calendar for the 2025 jubilee, after the church accepted their request for participation.
The Holy Year for the Catholic Church will begin on December 24, Christmas Eve, and will end on January 6, 2026 The faithful who will go to Rome will be able to cross the "Sante doors", which will be opened in four basilicas of the city.
La Tenda di Gionata, an Italian association for Christians LGBTQ+, has announced that it will create the jubilee pilgrimage in September, one of the numerous events scheduled for the next Jubilee. The group celebrated the announcement with an official declaration, expressing enthusiasm for "a significant goal in our path."
"On September 6, at 3.00 pm, we will meet in Rome to share our message of inclusion, love and faith,"Wrote the association. "We will invite all associations and groups dedicated to the support of LGBT+ people and their families to join us while we will officially cross the Holy Door of the Jubilee at the Basilica of San Pietro."
Agnese Palmucci, spokesman for the Vatican evangelization office, who is organizing the Jubilee, clarified to Reuters that the inclusion of this pilgrimage does not imply an official support of the Church, underlining that anyone can organize a jubilee pilgrimage.
"These are not activities sponsored by the Church,"He explained. "Once the availability of space has been verified, we insert the pilgrimage into the general calendar."
La Tenda di Gionata organizes pastoral initiatives, such as spiritual retreats, community meetings and pilgrimages, "For anyone interested, to help LGBT+ people and their families to feel welcomed in their church and to promote listening and mutual knowledge in Christian communities."
The association defined the inclusion of their initiative as "A unique opportunity to stay united and testify to the beauty of a church that embraces everyone without exclusion."
"United under a tent, guided by hope,"They concluded.
Original text: Vatican Adds Event for LGBTQ+ Catholic to Holy Year Calendar
