Bishop says Catholic Church must ‘offer refuge’ to ‘queer people in our congregations’

The ‘Queer Commissioner of the German Bishops' Conference’ said parishes must become ‘safe places’ for ‘queer people,’ arguing the Church has fostered ‘prejudice, mistrust, and rejection.’ ESSEN, Germany (LifeSiteNews) — A German bishop has accused the Catholic Church of failing “queer people” by allowing “prejudice, mistrust,” and “rejection,” calling on the Church to “repent.” Schepers said the incident required the Church to examine whether Catholic parishes are places “queer” people can “live, believe, and experience community without fear.” According to the bishop, when the “Gospel of liberation” becomes an “instrument of exclusion,” the “Church contradicts its own mission.” From that premise, Schepers concluded that Catholic parishes should become places of “refuge – a place where queer people find protection, genuine acceptance, and a spiritual home.”