LGBT Groups Made Unwelcome During Pope’s Visit

The pope’s visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families is being billed as an event significant to more than just Catholics, a platform valuable to anyone who values freedom, love, and other positive values. Unfortunately, it seems that the open arms extended by the Church during the papal visit are closed to those representing LGBT equality. A recent article in the Washington Post outlined how LGBT groups that were expecting inclusion during the pope’s visit are now being shut out of the official welcome.

The pope is not welcoming all comers with open arms, say LGBT groups.

On Tuesday, local Archbishop Charles Caput announced that LGBT groups would not be given a platform of representation during the papal visit.

The strike against the LGBT community comes at a time when the pope strikes a delicate balancing act in his public opinion towards the issue. On one hand, he has been praised as one of the most inclusive Catholic leaders ever, preaching messages of love towards LGBT people. On the other hand, the Catholic church’s official stance has long been one of non-acceptance and shunning towards those who are LGBT, and when push comes to shove, Pope Francis has consistently toed this line.

It seems that groups have been receiving mixed messages from the local churches. Two LGBT advocacy groups had previously asked St. John the Evangelist church in downtown Philly to use their facilities during the pope’s visit. Now, the groups are saying that previously-given permission is being rescinded. Archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin told the Post that any church-sponsored activities were expected to be “in line with Church teachings.”