After the Hurt, We Need Healing

The following statement in response to Pope Francis’ apology to gay Catholics has been approved by our chair, Ruby Almeida: Quest welcomes Pope Francis’ clear words of apology to lesbian and gay Catholics. We share the view of some LGBT people who point out that this could and should have gone further, but there is…… Continue reading After the Hurt, We Need Healing

Embracing Sexuality and Spirituality

For Quest’s conference 2016, “Feathers on the Breath of God”, we will be investigating gender, sexuality and spirituality. The keynote speakers will be looking particularly at issues of gender, but there will also be a workshop on sexuality and spirituality – topics which are too easily assumed to be in conflict for LGBT people. In…… Continue reading Embracing Sexuality and Spirituality

Gender Paranoia – and Gender Facts

In Washington D.C. for a National Prayer Breakfast, Cardinal Robert Sarah has described gay marriage as “poison” and attacked transgender rights as a form of ideological colonialism. “[T]hrough a demonic ‘gender ideology,’ a deadly impulse that is being experienced in a world increasingly cut off from God through ideological colonialism.” Cardinal Sarah, is an African,…… Continue reading Gender Paranoia – and Gender Facts

A Quest Response to “Amoris Laetitia”

In attempting to craft his Apostolic Exhortation, Pope Francis was faced with impossibly conflicting demands: intense pressure from the reformists to introduce changes to pastoral practice (if not actual doctrine) on some hot-button topics, competing with equally intense pressure from the conservative side to reaffirm both doctrine and the rules on pastoral practice.  We should…… Continue reading A Quest Response to “Amoris Laetitia”

Expanding LGBT Ministry Across Westminster – And Beyond!

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has urged that the successful model of the Farm Street Masses specifically welcoming LGBTI Catholics be “rolled out” across his Westminster archdiocese, and indeed across “the nation” (in Catholic Church terms, that rather oddly means “England and Wales”. Scotland has a completely independent bishops’ conference, and Northern Ireland falls under the Primate…… Continue reading Expanding LGBT Ministry Across Westminster – And Beyond!

Conference 2015: First Impressions (Terry Weldon)

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed our annual conference, “The Bible: Friend or Foe?”. I was stimulated by our keynote speaker, Keith Sharpe’s thoughts on the Bible and LGBT people, and moved by the personal testimony of out other guest speaker, Ruth Sharpe, chief executive of Stonewall, and her challenges in coming out as Catholic. I…… Continue reading Conference 2015: First Impressions (Terry Weldon)

Cardinal Marx Admits: Theology of Marriage Is Not Complete!

The Family Synod in Rome last October created some excitement about the possibility of a new, more pastorally sensitive approach to gay and lesbian Catholics by the Catholic Church. That gathering, however, was no more than a first step – a preparatory exercise, before the main synod later this year. But even that will not…… Continue reading Cardinal Marx Admits: Theology of Marriage Is Not Complete!