My Weekend For Outreach Ministry Faith Conference for LGBTQ Catholic Ministries: A Reflection by Beth Trouy
I was asked to share some of my experiences from attending the Outreach Faith Conference for LGBTQ Catholic ministries at Georgetown University last weekend in DC. As the Diocesan coordinator of the Catholic Ministry
with Gay and Lesbian Persons (CMGLP), it’s an annual event I look forward to each year. Outreach Faith was
created by Fr. James Martin several years ago in response to hearing the need for more community building and
support for a group often marginalized by the Church.
This year, over 400 people attended from all around the world: Lithuania, Great Britian, Canada; with a blend of
priests, nuns, brothers, monks, parents, allies and everything in-between. What strikes me most each year is the
warmth, the fellowship and the distinct presence of the Holy Spirit alive in this group who love the Church with
such fervor in spite of not always having felt the Church’s love in return. One transgender person explained her
feelings with, “God is bigger than the Church,” and “it’s my Church too.”
Our weekend opened up with Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington who celebrated Mass with us. In his homily, he quoted the Preamble of the US Constitution, “We the People, in order to
form a more perfect Union…” He went on to discuss the tensions we are all feeling in the world today. Tensions
that are creating polarization and division among our world, our country and yes, even in our Church today. He
stressed the words of ‘We, the people” us, who, “in order to form a more perfect union” must work together for
that unity. He commended the LGBTQ community for its faith and ongoing love of the Church and encouraged
us to keep our eyes on Christ. He challenged us to remain hopeful in knowing there are Church leaders who see
those in the margins and strive, as Christ has commanded, to welcome them with love. I am so blessed that I
feel this love for the marginalized in my St. Patrick’s Parish. Many at this conference have no Church that accepts them. Archbishop Gregory said we could be the leaders in our communities to show by example how we
can remain unified in spite of our differing views and opinions. He concluded with using the word communion:
communion, he said was the binding love we all share as Catholics as one body, united in Christ. It’s at communion that we are all one. As I received communion from him, I felt that unity.
The weekend was filled with such encouraging words from many Church leaders. Yes, there were some protestors who prayed the rosary outside the gates of Georgetown as several police stood between them and our
group. (I wanted to ask what exactly were they praying for, but I refrained.) We discussed topics such as the bible and homosexuality (taught by Rabbi and New Testament scholar Amy Jill-Levine), transgender Catholics and
the Church, parents of LGBTQ persons, Catholic LGBTQ ministries in parishes and higher education, updates
from the Vatican hosted by Fr. Martin and a Vatican correspondent. I had the honor of speaking at length with
the host of “Preach” the podcast from America Media, Fr. Da Silva (if you’ve not heard his voice, I suggest you
take a quick listen). It was empowering to hear his desire to learn more how priests can give better homilies that
give a positive message to the entire congregation. He hosted a live podcast during the weekend which centered
on listening to LGBTQ Catholics, parents and allies who had been wounded by some homilies and how priests
can do better. (I believe you can view it on the podcast series and if it doesn’t get cut, he asked me to comment
during the live podcast).
One key note address that stuck with me was from Rev William Hart McNichols who is also an artist and iconographer who shared much of his art work with us. He spoke of the Church’s limitations in being inconsistent with
her message to marginalized groups. He carefully stated, “the Church however, is not God. Only God is infallible.” He gave an image of the Church as a boat that carries us to the shore, which is God. That image is a comfort to me in keeping my utmost focus on God and being patient with the Church who struggles sometimes. I do
believe, for me, She is the best ship to carry me closer to God.
I have to say the highlight of the weekend were the prayer services and Masses we had together in Church. Imagine a sanctuary filled from wall to wall with everyone singing from the heart. You could hear the joy, the deep
love for the Church in the voices. They were beautiful voices too! (remember the influence of the LGBTQ community to choirs). I left the sanctuary every morning and evening being filled by the Holy Spirit Who certainly was
present with us. God is bigger than the Church and the Church is a ship that carries us to the shore of God. We
are the people who are tasked with helping form a more perfect union, a communion in fact, to remind us that in
spite of our differences, we are one body in Christ. Our great command is to love one another. May that love
sustain us in these coming months as our world, our country, our Church strive to meet our divisions with respect, sensitivity and compassion for one another. May we listen with love.
