Building inclusive Catholic pastorals: the experiences in progress in the diocese of Bologna

Transcription of the interventions held on the occasion of the laboratory "Build inclusive catholic pastorals: experiences in progress"Held in themeeting "corner Stones" (Florence, April 5, 2025), transcription by the volunteers of La Tento di Gionata, part before

Welcome, accompany and integrate all the people who wish to be embraced By the church, regardless of their life Condition. Pope francis has reiterated him several times in his pontificate and wrote it clearly in Amoris laetitia, collecting the indications from the whole church through two Synods and as many questionnaires spread in the diocese of the world.

While the public debate is often agitated by those who vehemently oppose every opening the reality of the parishes, dioceses, associations and religious congregations in Italy tells another story: that of a concrete and widespread commitment on this issue.

Without too much, many Catholic realities are already offering listening, accompaniment and discernment paths for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT+) and their parents.

The CEI family office, in 20216, also started a mapping to clarify the various initiatives and to promote its diffusion, "so that those who manifest the homosexual tendency can have the necessary help to understand and fully achieve the will of God in their life" (Amoris Laetitia, 250).

In this panorama, three inclusive pastoral paths started by the diocese of bologna (Emilia-Romagna), chiavari (Liguria) and Florence (Tuscany) Are Emerging with Particular Force.

Different experiences, but all animated by the same Gospel desire to concretely build Christian communities in which each person can feel recognized, welcomed and accompanied on their journey of faith.

In the diocese of Bologna. The history and experience of a group to accompany LGBT+ people and their parents

We start from the presentation of pastoral experiences, starting from that of Bologna. To tell it is Don Gabriele Davalli, who accompanies us in retracing the forty years of life of the bolognese group on the way of Christians LGBT+, one of the longest -lived in Italy.

The group was born in the context of the Cassero di Bologna, a historic meeting space for young people LGBT+. From there a question develops that still sounds very current: "Being homosexuals and Christians really possible?". For many, then, it seemed a contradiction. Either it was homosexual or was Christians. The group was born just to try to keep these two dimensions, apparently irreconcilable.

At the beginning they were meetings in private houses, in a very simple climate of sharing and prayer - "" The rosary was also prayed! ".. The group was also inspired by similar experiences active in Milan, with which there was a first exchange and an important link.

From the start, some priests and religious accompanied the group, without judging or trying to frame him in rigid doctrines. They listened to and recognized the authentic desire for faith that animated these people.

The official attitude of the Church of Bologna, at the time, was more ambiguous. The archbishops who succeeded each other - from Biffi to Caffarra - never explicitly supported the group, but they didn't even hinder him. "They knew about the existence of the group," he explains "but they didn't speak of it, they didn't judge him or promote him".

Bishop Caffarra, in particular, refused several times to meet the group, saying that "he didn't feel ready". With hindsight, perhaps it was better this way: a direct comparison, in an atmosphere of doctrinal hostility, could have been harmful.

The situation has changed in recent years: the attitude of the diocese today is more welcoming and proactive having integrated the experience of the group within family pastoral care, with continuous work of connection between spiritual paths and daily realities of LGBT+ people and their families.

An informal and relational style

The group on the way of Bologna has never wanted to give itself a rigid structure or an abbreviation: it works for word of mouth and personal relationships. You enter through the testimony of those who are already part of it. It is a simple and deeply human path.

In recent years, in addition to the monthly meetings, the group has often been invited to bring its experience to parishes, training courses or youth paths. "What is striking - says Don Gabriele - is that the experiences of faith of LGBT people, with all their questions, become an important contribution for others too. They serve the community, open paths".

There is a very strong idea that often returns: "These groups should not even exist in theory". "In an ideal world, it would be ordinary pastoral to integrate everyone. But since this is not the case, these groups exist and are necessary". And he adds: "The group is not a refuge. It cannot be limited to protecting. It must also be a place of opening and common growth".

As a demonstration of this opening, Don Gabriele tells the recent episode of a heterosexual couple who asked to participate in the group, after having lived a significant experience in dialogue with some of his members.

Someone from the group expressed discomfort, because he could not imagine an "other" presence in his own sharing space. It was an important moment, which prompted to reflect once again on the need for attention and delicacy towards the paths of each. "As Christians - says Don Gabriele - we are called to walk with everyone. Not to create closed subgroups".

Integration into family pastoral care

From 2018, with the insertion of the group on the way inside the family pastoral care of the diocese of Bologna, a new journey has begun. The idea is to build a pastoral care with, not a pastoral care for LGBT+ people and their families.

Diocesan pastoral care coexist different realities: groups of "traditional" families, separate parents, LGBT groups, groups of parents of LGBT children, and other specific paths. A concrete example is that of the "two days" organized with all the pastoral groups connected to the family. The goal was to bring together very different people, but united by the same faith.

During these meetings - says Don Gabriele - the labels have disappeared. "We were only Christians. Nobody spoke anymore on behalf of their 'group'. We shared the word and reflection together. And this was true communion."

A participant said he had lived a real conversion. He had entered with the prejudice that homosexual people were "recognizable at first sight" and came out completely transformed.

According to Don Gabriele, experiences like these show that family pastoral care can be a place of mutual conversion, where the stereotyped images also melt and one new way of seeing the other are generated. "The conversion - he adds - does not only concern those who come from outside, but also the Church. We can all change gaze".

Finally, the Don tells the start of a new reflection in the diocese: the possibility of building a space for those people who do not recognize themselves in any of the family categories, as a woman who said: "I am 42 years old, I am single, I am not homosexual, I have no children, I am not separate or divorced ... I can't participate in any group. Where do I find my place?".

This question, concludes Don Gabriele, questions the entire Catholic Church. And it reminds us that inclusion is not a label to stick, but a concrete path to be taken together, step by step.