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‘LGBTQ’ Mentioned for First Time Ever in Vatican Document — Here’s What It Says

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
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By Tré Goins-Phillips
Editor

October 5, 2018

The use of the acronym “LGBTQ” has caused quite a kerfuffle among Catholics a few months after it was included — for the first time — in an official document from the Vatican.

The paper, which examined the Catholic Church’s dealings with young people, declared “some LGBT youth” were looking to “benefit from greater closeness and experience greater care by the Church,” according to The Independent.

Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput argued this week the acronym should have no place in official Church documents. He went on to say the Church “doesn’t categorize people” based on their “sexual appetites.”

Elementary School Introduces Mandatory ‘LGBT Fairytale’ Classes

“There is no such thing as an ‘LGBTQ Catholic’ or a ‘transgender Catholic’ or a ‘heterosexual Catholic,’ as if our sexual appetites defined who we are,” he explained, “as if these designations described discrete communities of differing but equal integrity within the real ecclesial community, the body of Jesus Christ.”

“This has never been true in the life of the Church and is not true now,” the archbishop added.

Fr. James Martin, who serves as secretariat for communications in the Vatican, swiftly pushed back against Archbishop Chaput’s comments, arguing people “have a right to name themselves, and this is the name many choose,” referring to the LGBTQ community.

I understand Archbishop Chaput's point but this member of the Body of Christ deserves a name, and this is the name that many, if not most, choose. (Likewise, we don't say "Negroes," we say "African Americans" or "Blacks.") Individuals and groups have a right to name themselves.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 4, 2018

Besides, this topic is being discussed within the context of a Synod on one specific, distinct, group in the church: "Youth." Or "Young Adult Catholics." Again, no one thinks that identifying them is "divisive." It's simply a focus on one member of the Body of Christ.

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 4, 2018

Prior to the controversial document, which was first released in June, official Vatican writings described those in the LGBTQ community as people with “homosexual inclinations” or “homosexuals.”

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