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”
Category: Quest
Conference First Impressions: Claire and Paschal
One of the many delights about attending the annual Quest Conference, in addition to catching up with old friends, is the pleasure of meeting newcomers. They are a gift to us, not only because they enrich us with their life stories and witness, but they also validate Quest’s very existence. So, meet “newbies” Claire and…… Continue reading Conference First Impressions: Claire and Paschal
Has the Synod “Opened a Door” to LGBT Inclusion?
The Bishops’ Synod three week assembly on marriage and family has now concluded. It’s now two years since the process began, and it’s not over yet. (We still must wait for Pope Francis’ response, which will be published as an Apostolic Exhortation). Meanwhile, LGBT opinion on the results of the assembly and its implications for…… Continue reading Has the Synod “Opened a Door” to LGBT Inclusion?
Quest @ Greenbelt 2015, day 2
My first day of duty on the OuterSpace stand, from 4pm to 6pm. Domestic chores kept me away from the Greenbelt site in the morning which meant that I missed that Giles Fraser’s talk entitled On Helplessness. My stint on the stand also meant that for a second time in the space of a month…… Continue reading Quest @ Greenbelt 2015, day 2
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)
Son, I’ll Always Love You Whether You’re Straight Or A Closeted Gay
There’s something I want to tell you, son. You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to listen for a second, okay? I want you to know that you are the most important person in the world to me and that I will always be there for you. Because I’m your dad, and I’m always going to be.…… Continue reading Son, I’ll Always Love You Whether You’re Straight Or A Closeted Gay
2014 Conference Talks: Fr Peter McVerry
A sea-change? Is Pope Francis ushering in a sea-change in the Catholic Church? I believe he is. The sea change is in our understanding of who God is and what God wants. Everywhere Jesus went, he was followed by large crowds. Five thousand people, not counting women and children, listened to him all day long, even forgetting that they were hungry,(Luke 9:10-17). Every town…… Continue reading 2014 Conference Talks: Fr Peter McVerry
Quest Conference Talks: Pádraig Ó Tuama
I stayed here for your AGM last night. I don’t know if I’ve ever stayed intentionally for a group’s AGM. They’re not things that I’m overly fond of. But I was moved last night listening to your stories, because what struck me was that you’re particularly attuned and aware to the possibility of marginalisation, and the possibility of isolation that people have, and that the concerns…… Continue reading Quest Conference Talks: Pádraig Ó Tuama
You must be logged in to post a comment.