In Seville, attack on participants in the LGBT+ inclusive Mass. Ichthys: “Do not use God to hate!”
In Seville, Spain, during the celebration of the Eucharist of Tierra de Acogida on Saturday 15 November 2025, a serious episode occurred which deeply disturbed the Catholic community gathered there. Tierra de Acogida is the monthly time when Ichthys, a group of LGBTI+H Christians (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and heterosexual people who support them) of Seville, welcomes all people who wish to participate in the Mass, in particular those who have experienced rejection or exclusion in the Catholic Church due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
At the moment of sharing, a person spoke with aggressive tones, hurling insults against the priest and against the LGBTIQ+ people present. A sudden attack, directed above all at the sexual orientation and gender identity of the majority of participants, and which - as the group writes - could constitute the crimes of interruption or disturbance of religious worship and hate crime, provided for by the Spanish Penal Code.
Ichthys chose to openly tell what happened, explaining that «our Eucharists in Tierra de Acogida are celebrated with open doors and in a participatory tone» and that they follow «the Roman Catholic rite, as it could not be otherwise». They also reiterate the importance of this space, created so that "people distanced from the Catholic Church due to their sexual orientation or gender identity can approach the sacraments and rediscover God, Father of all, after habitual experiences of rejection and exclusion in their parishes or pastoral centers".
At the moment of the attack, the group describes the incident as follows: "A person spoke in inappropriate tones, uttering insults and insults aimed at the priest and the LGBTIQ+ people present." A gesture that they define as "an act of intransigence and rejection towards LGBTIQ+ people, aggravated by the fact that it occurred during the celebration of the Eucharist".
«It saddens us that aggressors use the Word of God in vain, appropriating Christ and transforming him into an instrument of hatred. God is a good Father and Mother, who loves all his creatures equally, without exceptions."
Despite everything, Ichthys says he wants to continue on his path without hesitation. "We demonstrate our firm decision to continue with our commitment to fully integrate the LGBTIQ+ reality into the Catholic Church, in which there is room for everyone." They also underline that they will maintain all activities, especially those that "allow people who are afraid and rejected by those who teach that God is judge, punisher and executioner to rediscover their belonging to the Catholic Church, their trust in their sisters and brothers and the closeness of the Father who loves us just as we are".
Who is Ichthys, Cristian@s LGBTI+H from Seville
Ichthys is a group of LGBTI+H Christians active in the diocese of Seville. For years it has created safe spaces for prayer, listening and training for people who have experienced exclusion or suffering in the Catholic Church. The Tierra de Acogida celebrations are one of the concrete signs of their commitment: an open, participatory and fully Catholic Mass, where anyone can find acceptance, dignity and a fearless journey of faith.
Ichthys Group, Cristian@s LGBTI+H from Sevilla
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ichthyscristianoslgtbhsevilla/
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Original text of press release released By Ichthys (Seville, spain) On november 17, 2025 (PDF file)
