Posted on 08/05/2026 9:06:54 AM PDT by ebb tide
TORREÓN, Mexico (LifeSiteNews) — A Mexican Catholic bishop told a pro-LGBT gathering that homosexuality “is not a sin” and declared that “without the LGBT community, the Church is not complete.”
From July 30 to August 2, in Torreón, northern Mexico, the Fourth National Meeting of Red Católica Arcoíris México – a gathering of nearly 100 representatives from local pro-LGBT groups – took place. The opening Mass was celebrated at the local cathedral, where Bishop Luis Martín Barraza Beltrán of Torreón presided and Bishop Raúl Vera López, formerly of Saltillo, delivered the homily.
“The Church has a serious responsibility,” Vera López said during the homily. “Homosexuality is not a sin. It is a thing of nature and not human perversion or disease.” He also insisted that Catholics who identify as LGBT “have a right” to participate fully in ecclesial life and “exercise leadership of the faith among us,” concluding: “Without the LGBT community, the Church is not complete.”
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The bishop also urged Catholic communities to receive people who identify as LGBT without exclusion and argued that their participation should not be viewed merely as an act of goodwill but as a moral obligation. He maintained that sexual orientation is an inherent aspect of the human person and rejected the idea that it should be considered a voluntary choice or a morally blameworthy condition.
Vera López further encouraged Red Católica Arcoíris México to continue strengthening its work as a community of faith composed of people identifying as LGBT and their supporters. He said the group’s witness should contribute to what he described as a more open Church and a society marked by respect, unity, and inclusion.
The bishop’s remarks generated controversy in Mexico. After criticism emerged, Vera López published a statement on his Facebook account thanking those who expressed support for him, while lamenting what he described as criticism and slander directed against him because he considers himself “brother, pastor and friend” of those who identify as LGBT.
“Those who often condemn a person for their sexual inclinations are people who need not only education and updating, since they have remained in the tradition of the 2nd century, but also require a new heart as the prophet Ezekiel writes,” Vera López wrote in his Facebook post after reiterating his central claim that “homosexuality is not a sin.”
Delegates at the pro-LGBT meeting representing local groups from different regions of Mexico attended the gathering. Activities included workshops, meetings, the election of a new national leadership team for the organization, and a keynote address delivered by Jesuit Father James Martin via Zoom.
Vera López has long been associated with initiatives involving LGBT groups in the Mexican Catholic Church. In 2014, he baptized a 16‑month-old girl being raised by a lesbian couple. The event drew attention because of the bishop’s long-standing support for LGBT causes, including past affiliation with a group promoting the homosexual lifestyle.
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Furthermore, in 2011, Vera López headed two “human-rights” organizations that have signed multiple documents advocating the decriminalization of abortion. Although the bishop denied being “pro‑abortion,” his organizations have endorsed declarations supporting abortion access and opposing pro-life constitutional amendments.
In 2025, a lesbian Anglican minister, Emilie Teresa Smith, who is in a same-sex “marriage,” participated in a Mass in Saltillo, Mexico, alongside Vera López, appearing to “concelebrate” by whispering the words of consecration, elevating the chalice, reading the Gospel, giving a homily, and later receiving the Eucharist – many of which are forbidden by Catholic canon law for non-Catholics and laypersons. Vera López defended her presence, framing it as an act of ecumenism and inclusion.
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‘ Bishop says ‘homosexuality is not a sin’ at pro-LGBT conference’
What?!
I think the Bishop might want to read the Sodom and Gomorrah story again.
He’s been downin’ some chorizo
Faggot priests are out to destroy Catholicism with Leo’s approval.
As long as he didn’t say it in Latin . . .
Easy for a homo child molesting priest to say.
This bishop has nothing to fear from Pope Leo - Leo (and his predecessor) only go after traditional Catholics. Heresy, moral depravity, and Islam are just fine, but Catholic traditionalism is anathema.
Back when the RCC was Catholic, the position was that homosexuality was intrinsically disordered and that to act on a homosexual attraction was sinful. That meant that SSAD was a spiritual and psychiatric disorder against which a Christian should be on guard, and which he should resist when tempted.
All of us suffer from temptations. Even the angels suffer from temptation; cf. Lucifer and the sin of pride. It is yielding to temptation that is sinful.
The subject doesn’t much arise in my geriatric circles, but on more than one occasion, I’ve suggested to young adults that the three most important words in the standard wedding ceremony are “forsaking all others.”
The wedding vow doesn’t say, “Thee I love, and I am so besotted with love and infatuation and lust for you that I will never again see nor notice nor be attracted to anyone else.” That would be absurd because it is impossible. We will always encounter people to whom we are attracted. The vow says we will name the temptation and put it behind us. The sin lies in acting on it.
Bp. Raúl Vera López told a pro-LGBT Catholic gathering in Mexico that homosexuality is ‘a thing of nature’. If both of his parents were strictly homosexual would padre exist? Pretty natural.
A lot of Catholic hierarchy will tell you homosexuality is not a sin but to engage in the act, look with a lustful heart, are sins.
Smells like a Gay Religion
It appears to me that this Bishop is not a Christian. Neither is the Pope.
Ya. The catechism clearly states that homosexuals are to live celibate lives
They don’t include that in these presentations since around the time that the many priests were abusing innocents that they lured
They don’t mention that in these presentations either
Babylon Bee ........right?...........right?.....................😣
Off topic, but does anyone know how to get rid of the annoying blue dot says that Edge wants to help me write my comments? It showed up a few days ago and I’ve been trying to get rid of it.
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