A group of from the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe have been gathering “in response to the Universal Synod invitation to engage with those who feel ‘excluded or judged because of their marital situation, identity or sexuality’.”
Aiming to create a welcoming environment where LGBTQI+ people, along with their family members and allies can meet, listen, pray and reflect together, a gathering will take place on May 1 in the JPII Oratory at the Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick.
Bishop of Killaloe Fintan Monahan told The Irish Catholic “The joint prayer gathering for members of the LGBTQI+ is an effort between ourselves in Killaloe and Limerick Diocese. [It] is one way among others that we are hoping to address the issue of inclusion.”
The bishop said “The idea was proposed by a number of new pastoral ministers in both Limerick and Killaloe and it has been well planned and thought through following discussion, prayer and discernment. It is hoped if the meeting goes well that there might be opportunities to broaden this important outreach to address some of the pain and hurt that has been felt in this area in the past.”
Bishop Monahan said there “have been preparation for submitting a response in advance of the National pre-Synodal gathering this Autumn. Over the past number of weeks, we have been reflecting on the various documents that have emerged from the whole Synodal process over the past number of years.”
He said that they “have been taking into account the diocesan and national deliberations as well as the final document produced as a result of the second synod in Rome last October. It is clear that among the 17 topics or issues identified for discussion and further reflection that the issue of inclusion and welcome in the Church is a very important issue.
“Some people feel judged, excluded and marginalised for a number of different reasons due to difference of one kind or another. Our aim in the long term would be to address this in some clearly identifiable ways to ensure that the Church of the future would be as open and welcoming as possible, in the genuine spirit of Jesus Christ.”
