In Padua, groups of LGBT+ Christians and their parents will keep vigil in the parish to overcome homobitransphobia
Article published in La Difesa del Popolo, weekly magazine of the Diocese of Padua, 12 May 2024, page 11
"Be strong, do not fear because God walks you». This verse from Deuteronomy (31.6) refers to the prayer vigils for overcoming homobitransphobia. In Padua the event will be held on Friday 17 May (2024), at 8.45pm, in the church of San Bellino. It is promoted by the Christian LGBT+ groups present in the Diocese - the adult group "Emmanuele", the youth group "Il Mandorlo" and the group of parents of LGBT+ people - to live more consciously the International Day against homobitransphobia which is celebrated on 17 May to remember the date when, in 1990, the World Health Organization definitively removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.
"Unfortunately, even today, despite many years have passed, many people in the world are discriminated against due to their sexual orientation and for their gender identity - underline the organizers - in some countries of the world, homosexuality is illegal, in others it is expected even the death penalty.
Gathering, reflecting and praying helps us to understand that we are daughters and sons loved by God who, as Pope John Paul I said, is Father but also Mother of all people, without any distinction.
It will also help us the verse taken from the Old Testament (DT 6:31) which can be paraphrared as follows: "Be strong, made courage, do not fear and do not scare you of them, because the Lord your God walks with you; He will not leave you and will not abandon you", Because we are convinced that God supports us and continues to tell us that we are not afraid because he knows us and loves us as we are».
May 2024. The cities where we will keep vigil to overcome homotransbiphobia
