25/10/2025
LGBTQIA Roman Catholics have for the first time, been invited to participate in conversations at the Vatican, the Holy See which is the spiritual home for Roman Catholics globally. It is a reflection of how the new Pope, Leo, plans to build on the reforming and bridge building work of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. In a press release about the Jubilee of the Synod which they are attending, representatives of Dignity USA, the world's largest LGBTQIA Catholic organisation, said "DignityUSA Secretary Sam Albano and Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke have been participants in the Synod of Jubilee Teams and Participatory Bodies. This Vatican event runs October 24-26, 2025. They applied as representatives of DignityUSA and their application was approved by Synod officials. DignityUSA and some of our collegial organizations have repeatedly urged the Vatican to include openly LGBTQIA+ people in the Synod. Sam and Marianne are the only representatives of LGBTQ+ organizations present for this Jubilee. While this is not an Assembly, it is an official Synod event.
Over the three days, Sam and Marianne will have
- · Conversed with Synod Delegates and members of Continental and National Synod teams, including lay people, sisters, deacons, priests, bishops, and cardinals
- · Networked with other organizational representatives
- · Attended an event where Pope Leo was asked and answered questions from representatives of each of the seven Continental Synod teams
- · Participated in Conversations in the Spirit about the implementation of synodality in our global church
- · Attended interactive workshops
- · Been part of the Synod Pilgrimage through the Holy Door into St. Peter’s Basilica
- · Attended Mass presided by Pope Leo
