February 4th/March 12, 2025, three meetings in the diocese of Fermo and online on "Faith and homosexuality. Possible paths "

"Faith and homosexuality. Possible paths“. This is the theme of the three meetings proposed by San Rocco Cultural Center of the Archdiocese of Fermo (Marche) and by the pastoral unit of Montegranaro "Veregra Up", in collaboration with La Tenda di Gionata, an association founded at the request of the late Fermo priest David Esposito

Three appointments that arise from the desire to respond to the invitation of the Italian synodal path, which underlined the importance of accompanying LGBT+ people and their families in Christian communities (work tool, card 5). Through the comparison with theologians, experts and direct testimonies, we will try to discover how faith and love can intertwine in reception and hope paths.

First meeting: Tuesday 4 February 2025 at 9.15 pm

The first appointment will see the participation of the theologian Don Roberto Massaro, author of"Can you live without Eros?" (EMP, Padova 2021), e di Luigi e Valeria, una coppia di genitori membri de La Tenda di Gionata.

With the help of Don Massaro, professor of moral theology at the Apulian theological faculty, will we ask ourselves: why do Eros and Christian faith seem in constant conflict? Why does the Catholic Church, during its history, struggles to confront the sexuality of the "sons and daughters of God"? Why is there so much rigidity in our church towards homosexual love?

Don Roberto will guide us in the reinterpretation of some biblical songs, proposing new ideas for a renewal of sexual ethics. His intervention will enhance the role of passionate and ascending love narrated in the Bible, to recover, even in our Christian path, that extraordinary energy that love can generate, capable of satisfying human desire and feeding authentic relationships.

Second meeting: Friday 28 February 2025 at 9.15 pm

The protagonists of the second meeting will be Luigi Testa, author of via Crucis of a gay boy (Castelvecchi), and the theologian Don Sergio Massironi.

Luigi Testa, professor of comparative public law at the University of Insubria and Public Law at the Bocconi University, will tell his journey of faith as a young gay Christian, starting from his history that intertwines life and prayer.

In his book, Luigi writes: "I died inside many times too, Jesus, when a light word condemned me. When a betrayed confidence revealed me. When a laugh without thought hurt me ...".

This testimony will intertwine with the reflection of Don Sergio Massironi, a theologian of the Dicastery for the full human service, which recalls how “the Christian is a lover. Apparently disarmed "but that"has in sAnda fire capable of dissolving the frost that paralyzes hearts and life environments". A meeting dedicated to Christian parents and communities who question how to welcome diversity and overcome prejudices.

Third meeting: Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 9.15 pm

The last appointment will see the participation of the Jesuit Father Pino Piva, author ofDignityand responsibility. A path of spiritual liberation for all(The pilgrim, 2024), and by Gianni Geraci, historical voice of the groups of Christians LGBT+ in Italy.

Father Piva will guide us on a path of accompaniment and personal integration, facing the wounds inflicted by the lack of social, familiar and ecclesial welcome. The reflection will start from the importance of personal dignity and mutual responsibility, to build more welcoming and authentically Christian communities.

Gianni Geraci will bring his testimony, the result of years of commitment and dialogue, telling how Christian values ​​can generate dynamics of personal, social and spiritual liberation from the fear of diversity.

And will you listen to these rumors? Participate and discover these possible paths for our communities!

The meetings will take place in Montegranaro in the premises of the Santa Maria Madre parish of the Church - Piazza Don Mariano Pacetti n. 1. They will also be broadcast liveFacebook and Youtube on the channels of San Rocco Cultural Center

>See the recordings of the meetings in the diocese of Fermo on the "roads of love. Faith, bible and homosexuality " (March/April 2024)