International Church Reform Leaders Call on the Church to End Anti-LGBT Violence

At a just-concluded gathering of more than 40 Church Reform leaders held just outside Chicago, there was strong interest in the experience of LGBTQ Catholics and families. A work group on these issues developed a resolution, which was unanimously endorsed by the representatives of 11 countries from Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

We, the representatives of an international network of priest groups and reform organizations (assembled in Chicago 2016), affirm that the dignity of the human person is clearly expressed in the Gospels and the social justice teachings of our Church. It is this dignity that should be the foundation of a truly Catholic response to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families.

We, therefore, commit ourselves to stand against violence in all its forms--physical, emotional, spiritual and temporal--toward LGBT people. We encourage the Church's leaders and individual members to make the same commitment.

A working group will be developing concrete actions to further this commitment, and we expect it will include promoting Solidarity Sunday in the communities and nations represented at this gathering.