Do you still need to commit to making the Catholic Church inclusive with LGBTQ+believers?

Reflections by Matthias Altmann*, published in Katholisch.de (Germany) on February 6, 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project.

In recent times, some statements (in the German Catholic Church) have let a certain disenchantment transpire. Three years have passed since the beginning of #Outinchrurch ** (to give visibility to the LGBTQ+Catholics,) and the representatives of the initiative admit that many of their fundamental requests are still far from being faced, even in their most basic aspects.

Some do not nourish larger hopes that negative statements on homosexual people are eliminated from the official documents of the Catholic Church and the catechism. Is it really worth continuing to commit to making the Catholic Church a safe place for LGBTQ+believers? Probably, many are asking him.

Globally, the theme still remains a mined soil. This is demonstrated by the bewildered reactions that have risen in different parts of the world after the publication of the Vatican document Confirmation, despite this, did not question the moral doctrine of the Church on sexuality.

However, the work of #outinchrurch and other similar groups was not in vain at all. They were the ones who kicked off a change of mentality in some parts of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, contributing to greater awareness.

Some bishops and cardinals of prominent, as recently Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Washington's Archbishop emeritus, even apologized for the way the Church treated LGBTQ+people.

Just a few years ago, such a thing would have been unthinkable.

It is clear that for many all this is not yet enough, and it is understandable. But thanks to #outinchrurch and other movements, changes have been triggered that they can hardly be stopped.

For this, it is essential that LGBTQ Catholics+ do not let themselves be discouraged by the obstacles that still exist and continue to fight for their place in the church.

They need spaces where they can live their faith freely. And often, it is precisely the basis of the Church that is ahead: in many parishes, the LGBTQ+ believers are an integral part of the community, they actively participate and also hold liturgical roles.

The testimony of lGBTQ+ People is essential to build a Truly inclusive church, a Catholic church that is finally of all.

* Matthias Altmann is editor at the german catholic portal katholisch.de.

**#Outinchrurch is an initiative born in 2022 in Germany to give visibility to LGBTQ+ Catholics and ask for greater inclusion in the Church. The movement involved priests, religious and lay people declaredly LGBTQ+, who denounced ecclesiastical discrimination and asked for reforms. Their action has contributed to starting a public debate on the condition of LGBTQ+ people in the Catholic Church.

Original text: "Quer Katholiken, lasst euch nicht entmutigen!"