PEOPLE from the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, and families are invited to a special event which Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy hopes will be an open forum to communicate.
“In the 2016 Limerick Diocesan Synod, and more recently the Universal Synod, a key theme that emerged has been that of Inclusion/Exclusion and we were encouraged to pay particular attention to those who experience themselves as somehow marginalised or excluded,” said spokesperson for the event Con Buckley.
“In particular LGBTQI+ people were mentioned as those with whom we needed to engage in a more deliberate and meaningful level.”
A small working group was established in the Limerick diocese and this group created links with the Diocese of Killaloe.
Seven meetings were organised to which members of the LGBTQ+ community were invited, along with family members and allies.
“Early in the process, we invited Dr Jessie Rogers, a scripture scholar, to speak on what the Bible might have to say on this issue; we also worked through Fr James Martin’s text ‘Building a Bridge’ over a number of meetings; we invited a psychotherapist who works in this area to identify some of the issues he encounters,” said Con.
Mr Buckley said that the work already done in the meetings “has highlighted the need to create an opportunity for encounter, welcome, and prayer”.
“It is to this end that we have invited people to gather in the JP2 Oratory at the Crescent Shopping Centre on Thursday 1st May at 7.30pm. This gathering will provide an opportunity to meet, listen, and pray together and welcomes LGBTQI+ people, along with family members, and allies,” he said.
“Bishop Leahy is a huge supporter of the group and has attended some of the meetings. He is very hands-on on this issue,” Con told the Limerick Post.
He said there is no set agenda for the meeting or meetings to follow.
“It is a place where people can come and say whatever they have to say and it will be heard,” he said.
