Vatican advocates for LGBT acceptance and polygamy tolerance.

Vatican Calls for More Inclusion of LGBTQ+ People and Divorcees

The Roman Catholic bishops have been urged to discuss how the Church can become more welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals and divorcees, according to a Vatican document released on Tuesday.

Embracing Change and Empowering Women

The document also suggests that bishops should reflect on granting women more decision-making power and the possibility of ordaining them as deacons.

Furthermore, the 50-page working document for the global synod of the bishops proposes discussions on allowing married men to become priests in remote areas, a topic that Pope Francis previously put on hold after talks in a similar meeting in 2019.

Surprisingly, the document even hints at the Church’s need to be understanding towards those in polygamous relationships.

The synod, which has been in preparation for two years, sought the input of Catholics worldwide to shape the future of the Church. The first session is scheduled for this October, followed by a second session in October 2024.

The document, known as Instrumentum Laboris, provides suggestions for reflections and discussions based on the consultations.

After the synod, the pope will write an Apostolic Exhortation, an official document expressing his views on which recommendations, if any, should be implemented. This is expected to be released several months after the second session.

Creating Inclusive Spaces

“How can we create spaces where those who feel hurt by the Church and unwelcomed by the community feel recognized, received, free to ask questions, and not judged? … What concrete steps are needed to welcome those who feel excluded from the Church because of their status or sexuality (for example, remarried divorcees, people in polygamous marriages, LGBTQ+ people, etc.)?”

The Church teaches that same-sex attraction is not a sin, but homosexual acts are considered sinful. While polygamy is forbidden, it is quietly tolerated in some parts of Africa for converts who already have multiple wives.

Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg emphasized that the document was a result of listening to the experiences of others and not an attempt to push a progressive agenda.

Greater Recognition and Participation of Women

One section of the document focuses on women, a topic that is expected to receive significant attention at the upcoming month-long gathering in October. This follows Pope Francis’ decision in April to allow women delegates to vote at the assembly for the first time.

The document asks, “What concrete steps can the Church take to renew and reform its procedures, institutional arrangements, and structures to enable greater recognition and participation of women, including in governance and decision-making processes?”

Last year, Pope Francis introduced a landmark reform that allows any baptized lay Catholic, including women, to head most Vatican departments under a new constitution for the Holy See’s central administration. He also appointed three women to a previously all-male committee that advises him in selecting bishops worldwide.

The document reveals that many local responses called for the consideration of women becoming deacons. Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers, and while they may not celebrate Mass, they can preach, baptize, conduct wedding and funeral services, and run a parish with the permission of a bishop.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alison Williams and Angus MacSwan)