News
The LGBTQ Catholic community are a "great cloud of witnesses"
2+ hour, 45+ min ago (688+ words) This is the full text of the reflection given by Valentina Marquez, M. Div. , at the service of commissioning at Outreach 2026 on Sunday, June 21 in Gaston Hall at Georgetown University. The text has been edited for style. There's a scene that is…...
A transgender Catholic reflects on the call of the Emmaus story
1+ day, 2+ hour ago (616+ words) This is the full text of the reflection given by Danielle Koutsoufis at morning prayer at Outreach 2026 on Saturday, June 20 in Dahlgren Chapel at Georgetown University. The text has been edited for style. I sent my draft off to Jack,…...
James F. Keenan, S. J. , on guidance for the LGBTQ Catholic conscience
3+ day, 2+ hour ago (1665+ words) Editors" note: The following essay is the text of a keynote address delivered by James F. Keenan, S. J. , at Georgetown University"s Gaston Hall during the Outreach conference on June 21, 2026. It has been edited for style, clarity and length. I want to…...
What does it mean to be an LGBTQ Catholic?
5+ day, 2+ hour ago (212+ words) Editor's note: The following is the text of a homily given during Mass on June 19, 2026, in Dahlgren Chapel at Georgetown University, during the Outreach 2026 conference. What does it mean to be an LGBTQ Catholic? As Thomas Merton wrote, "For me…...
Outreach conference offers "sources of hope" for LGBTQ Catholics
1+ week, 2+ day ago (548+ words) Delivering the final reflection at the closing prayer service of this year's Outreach conference, again hosted by Georgetown University, Valentina Marquez described how the ministry provides "sources of hope" for its diverse, international community. "You give me hope," said Marquez,…...
What I've learned at past Outreach Conferences
2+ week, 3+ day ago (1132+ words) There was a lingering sense of disconnection'not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Something essential about community life had been lost. A consistent message we heard throughout the weekend'from speakers from GLAAD, PFLAG and the Ali Forney Center'was that LGBTQ…...
What if that were me?" A reflection on the Pulse Nightclub Massacre
3+ week, 1+ hour ago (384+ words) I drove down to Orlando to visit Pulse with my mom for a memorial 4. 9 K run in June of 2022. It was six years after the horrific massacre of 49 people at the popular nightclub, and Pulse, with the local community, did…...
Father James Martin, SJ: Ten Years after Pulse, Solidarity
3+ week, 23+ hour ago (279+ words) For some context, here is the response from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to Pulse:" Waking up to the unspeakable violence in Orlando reminds us of how precious human life is. Our prayers are with the victims, their families…...
Archbishop Erio Castellucci to LGBTQ Catholics: Today we are here to ask for forgiveness
4+ week, 1+ day ago (471+ words) Below are the Reflections on John 20: 1923 by Archbishop Erio Castellucci of Modena-Nonantola and Bishop of Carpi, during the Prayer Vigil for the Overcoming of Homotransphobia held at the Parish of Jesus the Redeemer in Modena, presided over by Archbishop Erio…...
Archbishop John C. Wester on Eli, Samuel and LGBTQ people in the church
1+ mon, 23+ hour ago (553+ words) As bishops, we sometimes assume we are the only teachers, but as the Synod on Synodality has reminded us, we are co-responsible with the laity for the life of the church. Pope Francis said as much on the 50th anniversary of…...