L’omofobia cattolica in Polonia vista con gli occhi dei genitori di ragazzi gay

Article by Francis DeBernardo published on Bondings 2.0, blog of the Catholic association New Ways Ministry (United States), on 19 August 2016, freely translated by Silvia Lanzi

We have often highlighted on this blog how Catholic parents of LGBT people, in the ecclesial environment, are among the strongest supporters of equality and justice. Parents' groups speak loud and clear around the world, although perhaps they have greater visibility in the United States, through the organization Fortunate Families and, in Malta, through Drachma Parents.

Other fathers and mothers have added their voices to this growing chorus, this time in very Catholic Poland. When Pope Francis visited last month on the occasion of World Youth Day, a group of parents of sixteen Polish gays wrote to the Pope asking him to help them put an end to homophobia "rampant" which, according to them, exists in the country.NDTV.comquoted their letter: “Noting a recent sequence of 'attacks on the headquarters of organizations working with homosexuals, an arson attack on LGBT symbols and a beating of non-heterosexual people,' the group implores Francis to intervene. 'Instead of compassion for families, society is engulfed in a wave of homophobia,' the group said in an open letter that was published last week [at the end of July, ed.] from many Polish newspapers and magazines. 'Only the voice of His Holiness can prevent future tragedies' they told Pope Francis, who is famous for his 'Who am I to judge?' pronounced three years ago on the topic of homosexuality”.

The article reports other important passages from the letter, including the one on the experience of LGBT Poles and the failure of the local Church to protect the dignity of LGBT people: “'Every day our children face hate attacks, verbal assaults and physical violence just because they were created that way by God' say the parents, who ask that their names be kept anonymous for fear of reprisals.”

“Why is there so much homophobia among Polish Catholics?” they ask themselves, citing passages from the Catechism of the Church and ask that gays and lesbians “are accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity”: “'Why don't priests remind people that LGBT people are also sons and daughters of God and that only He can judge them? Jesus himself said nothing about same-sex love,' says the letter."

Unfortunately, Pope Francis has not spoken about LGBT issues in his public speeches, although he spoke negatively about them in a private meeting with Polish bishops. A Polish gay activist thinks that Francis' positive messages regarding the LGBT world are having a positive influence on the minds and behaviors of Polish Catholics. As reported byNDTV.com: “'The time has not yet come when the Polish Catholic Church is ready to accept (to officially recognize LGBT groups) – we are not there yet' [said] Misza Czerniak, an LGBT activist; However, he recognizes that 'Pope Francis has changed the tone and vocabulary used to talk about LGBT people in the Church, and we are extremely grateful. And what is a great sign of hope for us is that the Polish Church is slowly learning from him'”.

Catholic parents of LGBT people are the true prophets of our Church. Their path of acceptance and love, their ability to understand new realities is exactly what the whole Church, especially the hierarchy, needs to undertake. Parents have much to teach Church leaders about unconditional love, about treating all people equally, as brothers and sisters. Their strong voices on behalf of their LGBT children are a true gift to our Church.

Original text: Parents Implore Pope to Put an End to Homophobia in Poland