Posted on 09/13/2026 1:28:51 PM PDT by ebb tide
Italy’s Catholic bishops gathered to discuss the integration of LGBT-identifying people and their families into ordinary diocesan life.
On September 4, nearly 200 pastoral workers and around 10 bishops gathered at the General Curia of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Rome for Italy’s first national conference dedicated to “pastoral ministry with homosexual and transgender people.”
The meeting, titled “Good Practices in Pastoral Ministry with Homosexual and Transgender People,” presented initiatives already operating in several Italian dioceses, while also examining the development of national guidelines for LGBT pastoral ministry.
“We have begun a journey whose destination we do not yet know, but which is certainly on the side of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters,” said Jesuit priest Giuseppe Piva, who organized the conference’s pastoral team.
The Diocese of Cremona presented its “First Steps” initiative, prepared in 2023 and now adopted throughout the dioceses in the region of Lombardy. Bishop Antonio Napolioni said the project seeks to offer criteria for understanding situations involving so-called LGBT Catholics, to address experiences of suffering, to involve families, and to establish diocesan teams receiving ongoing formation.
The Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto also presented its “Coordination for Inclusive Pastoral Ministry.” Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano highlighted its work accompanying families while “respecting individual sensitivities.” Among its initiatives are meetings with religion teachers and an “education in love” program addressing sexuality and affectivity among young people.
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Bishop Giampio Devasini of Chiavari likewise emphasized the importance of “taking young people’s questions seriously.” In his diocese, LGBT “accompaniment” is entrusted to the family pastoral ministry and follows four themes described as “being born, growing, loving, losing.” Father Marco Torre, the diocesan family-pastoral director, said the aim is for everyone in the Church, regardless of sexual orientation or questions concerning gender identity, to feel at home.
Archbishop Gherardo Gambelli of Florence described his diocese’s Coordination for Inclusive Pastoral Ministry, established in 2024. One of its initiatives is the “Casa di Andrea,” a temporary accommodation facility for homosexual and transgender young people experiencing difficulties within their families.
The conference also addressed the preparation of national pastoral guidelines. Archbishop Giampaolo Dianin of Gorizia, who is responsible for the Italian bishops’ work in this area, brought greetings from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the progressive head of the Italian bishops, and described the commission working on the guidelines.
Francesco Savino, bishop of Cassano allo Jonio and vice- resident of the Italian Bishops’ Conference for Southern Italy, called the Jubilee with “LGBT Catholics” an “epiphanic experience,” stating “I have been converted” and explaining that priests and theologians must be reshaped by real people and their stories.
Savino highlighted his accompaniment of “Laura,” a transgender-identifying man, saying his story changed his outlook, and he urged support for priests with same-sex attraction so they do not live their ministry in fear or judgment.
The theological framework for the meeting included the report of Group No. 9 of the Synod, which examined “emerging doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical questions.” According to that report, “sin, at its root, does not consist in the (same-sex) couple relationship” but in “a lack of faith in a God who desires our fulfillment.” Theologian Father Luca Lunardon also discussed what he called a necessary “relational conversion” of the entire “People of God,” echoing what Synodal Groups No. 6 and 7 published in their reports.
Referring to the synodal “principle of pastorality,” Lunardon said that people’s experiences can prompt the Church to reconsider its pastoral practices and the way it formulates moral norms.
The conference also featured representatives of major Italian Catholic organizations, including AGESCI, Catholic Action, FUCI, and the Focolare Movement. They described their approaches to LGBT-identifying people within formation, service, and apostolic activities, including initiatives intended to overcome discrimination and promote fuller integration.
Father Piva described the September 4 meeting as a “turning point.” He said the Church began a process intended to ensure that people in vulnerable situations “no longer feel they must hide in order to discover what God asks of them.”
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Referring to the synodal “principle of pastorality,” Lunardon said that people’s experiences can prompt the Church to reconsider its pastoral practices and the way it formulates moral norms.
Ping
There's no end to how reprobate theologians will contort scripture and 2000 years of (traditional) Church teaching to justify their twisted theology. Romans 1 says it all concerning homosexuality and perverted sexual attraction.
I am afraid that the hierarchy is just DYING to come out, they can’t hold it in any longer, and when they do they are going to make a big mess.
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