In a groundbreaking and poignant event, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. since 2019, held a special prayer service on January 22nd for members of Dignity Washington, a local organization supporting LGBTQ Catholics.
The service, resembling a Catholic mass but without the distribution of holy communion, took place in the welcoming environs of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown at 6:30 p.m. This marked a significant moment of reconciliation and dialogue between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ community.
The initiative for this historic service began when Dignity Washington representatives met with Cardinal Gregory at his diocesan office last September. It was during this meeting that they extended an invitation to the Cardinal to lead a religious service that acknowledges and supports the local LGBTQ community, which he graciously accepted.
Vince Rodriguez, President of Dignity Washington, expressed profound gratitude and emotion as Cardinal Gregory not only conducted the service but also issued a heartfelt apology for the church's past treatment of LGBTQ individuals. "We were deeply honored and moved," Rodriguez said, reflecting on the Cardinal’s unprecedented gesture of reconciliation.
Cardinal Gregory, in a sincere homily, addressed the gathered congregation with a message that rejected religious bigotry and ignorance. "There is no room for religious bigotry that is largely fueled by lack of knowledge and ignorance on the part of peoples who may call themselves religious but whose behavior violates the basic tenets of most of the great faith traditions of the world," Gregory proclaimed in his written remarks.
He went further to offer a personal apology, acknowledging his own shortcomings in showing Christ-like compassion. "I apologize for my own failure to emulate Christ’s compassion," he stated. "The way that we have treated our LGBTQ brothers and sisters has brought them tears and to many of us disgrace." This apology was not only on his behalf but also extended to the church and its leadership.
Cardinal Gregory's words resonated deeply with those in attendance. "I apologize from the heart for the hurt that has resulted in the loss of so many of our family members who belong to God no less than I do," he confessed, seeking forgiveness for both past and present actions that have alienated LGBTQ individuals from the church.
Rodriguez described the service as "very powerful, very moving," with approximately 80 participants braving a chilly night to attend. Peter Daly, a retired Catholic priest and member of Dignity Washington, noted that despite a last-minute notification, the service was well-attended and impactful. "And it turned out to be a wonderful service," Daly remarked. "His homily was exceptional. I’ve never heard an archbishop or a cardinal, and I’ve heard a lot of them, say and offer an apology not only on behalf of himself but on behalf of the church and other hierarchs for the way the LGBTQ community has been treated."
This event is being hailed as a "watershed moment" in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ community by many, including Jeannine Gramick, a Catholic nun and representative of New Ways Ministry, an LGBTQ Catholic group. "I am hopeful this will set an example for other bishops to embrace Dignity communities across the U.S.," she told the media. "Dignity was the first group in the world to organize and speak up for their rights as baptized LGBTQ+ Catholics."
As Cardinal Gregory prepares for retirement, he is set to be succeeded by Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego, who is known for his supportive stance towards the LGBTQ community. McElroy will be officially installed as the next Archbishop of Washington, D.C., on March 11 at a ceremony in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
This significant event reflects a growing dialogue and potential for healing between religious institutions and the LGBTQ community. It marks a hopeful step forward in bridging gaps, fostering understanding, and promoting inclusivity within the church and beyond.
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