[Originally posted on Facebook on 15 March 2021, following the Responsum of the CDF “regarding the blessing of the unions of persons of the same sex“]

On days like these, I wonder what keeps anyone who identifies at LGBTQ+ within the Church, not those who leave.** Because as a Church, on matters relating to LGBTQ+ relationships, we have so little (not to say nothing) to offer.

As a man who chose to lead a celibate life, I know too well that celibacy as a life choice makes profound spiritual sense, but only as part of a vocation, never as an imposition. Celibacy has to remain a choice for it to take its profound meaning — and the Church, for one, should know this very well. Haven’t we dealt with the aftermath of enough broken celibacy and its consequences? Sexual orientation, on the other hand, is not a choice.

No, I’m not at all surprised at the responsum published today. Nothing new. But, yes, I’m disappointed that it offers nothing to those who ask for “the assistance they need to understand and fully carry out God’s will in their lives”. Actually, it transforms any kind of discourse of welcome into empty lip service.

Perhaps, listening to the LGBTQ+ community within the Church could be a good starting point. True listening, listening to try and understand, not listening to respond. Perhaps, one day, the LGBTQ+ community will slowly start to feel welcome. I’m afraid it’s not today.

** oh, to my LGBTQ+ Catholic friends: remember that your best act of protest on days like this, is not to leave, but to stay inside the Church. Stay, and be a prophetic voice.