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London Jesuit Centre
A major theme in Pope Francis’ teachings is the need to go out and meet the people on the margins of society. Yet, by virtue of their marginalisation, it is often difficult to do so. Moreover, many organizations that work with marginalised groups (Catholic or otherwise) are led by people from outside that group, who,due to their greater enfranchisement in society, are more likely to have the skills and means required to establish and run those organizations relative to the communities they serve.
This module aims to forefront the voices of people who belong to marginalised groups, and who work with marginalised groups as members of those groups. Each session will be led by a guest speaker from a user-led organization, who will talk about the situation of, and challenges faced by, their respective group in society today.
Speakers on this course are discussing issues that are not only important but deeply personal to them. It is only fair that we listen to them in return, so if you sign up to the course please attend as many sessions as possible.
Week 5
LGBT Catholics
LGBT+ people are subject to multiple marginalisations, not least within the Church itself. LGBT+ people experience increased rates of poverty, homelessness, unemployment,mental health problems, substance abuse and violence, and the challenges they face along with the way they arise in particular contexts can shape experiences of things like migration, healthcare, policing and the justice system, and Church membership. This situation is exacerbated by the way that LGBT+ lives have become a prominent front in the culture wars, which vastly over determine the kinds of significances attached to the place of LGBT+ people in society.
LGBT Catholics Westminster are “part of the RC Archdiocese of Westminster's pastoral provision to LGBT+ Catholics, their families and friends”, and extend “a warm welcome to all LGBT+ Catholics, their friends,partners and families and indeed to all people of good will, LGBT+ or not”.They inherit the mission of the ‘Soho Masses’, established by the diocese to encourage the “full and active participation” of LGBT+ people in the Church,and have a long history of working with and in the Church for LGBT+ rights. Their group meets in the Arrupe Hall here at the LJC after the 17:30 Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception (next door) on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
Notes
Dr Nicolete Burbach is the Social and Environmental Justice Lead at the London Jesuit Centre. Her PhD thesis looked at Pope Francis’ hermeneutics of uncertainty, and her research focuses on resourcing Pope Francis to think through issues of alienation and disagreement, with a particular focus on navigating the difficulties around trans inclusion in the Church. Previously, she has taught modules on postmodern theology and Catholic Social Teaching, both at Durham University.
