All ARE welcome! Including LGBT people in the Catholic Church
Abstract of the report of Martin Pendergast* (UK), Conference ‘LGBT people and Christian churches in Europe: fears and opportunities for full acceptance and inclusion’, Rome, June 10th 2011
He will speak about the experience and development of the Soho Masses Catholic LGBT Community in London , its recognition as a formal pastoral provision of the Archdiocese of Westminster, and the involvement of the Vatican ’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the implementation of this pastoral ministry.
He will also comment briefly on the Pastoral Guidelines of the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales relating to LGBT Catholics, their parents and families.
* Martin Pendergast was a member of the Carmelite Order for 10 years with which he continues to enjoy a friendly relationship.
He has an STL from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of Bristol . He is also a qualified social worker having specialised in child protection including diagnosis and treatment of sexual abuse.
He and his partner, Julian Filochowski registered their UK civil partnership in 2006. He was a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales Social Welfare Committee until its restructuring in 2008.
