Philly Church LGBTQ+ Inclusion – NBC10
- In Philadelphia, a unique nonprofit is fostering unity between the LGBTQIA community and the Catholic faith community.
- Kate Carroll, a Dignity Philadelphia board member who grew up Catholic in the Midwest, returned to the church after finding Saint Luke's.
- Norman simmons, who leads services and sometimes performs the Mass of the Eucharist, echoed this sentiment.
Philadelphia Church Bridges LGBTQ Community and Catholic Faith
In Philadelphia, a unique nonprofit is fostering unity between the LGBTQIA community and the Catholic faith community. Dignity Philadelphia, located within the city’s Gayborhood at the Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany, has served the LGBTQ+ Catholic community as 1973.
Kate Carroll, a Dignity Philadelphia board member who grew up Catholic in the Midwest, returned to the church after finding Saint Luke’s. she said she had felt like she didn’t fit in for many years. The church welcomes everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Norman simmons, who leads services and sometimes performs the Mass of the Eucharist, echoed this sentiment. He said he might not be alive today if it weren’t for the nonprofit.
While the Catholic Church doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages, members of this community report feeling more included than ever. Pope Francis signaled a shift in 2013 by voicing support for the LGBTQ community.
Carroll expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, will continue the tradition of community engagement, listening, and sharing with those who are different.
“Coming into a religious community that not onyl tolerates some parts of you, but is really joyfully accepting and celebrating every single part of you is a very healing experience,” Carroll said.
“Without Dignity, I might have not been alive today. I would have killed myself,” Simmons said.
What’s next
The community hopes for continued inclusion and acceptance under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, anticipating further dialog and understanding between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ community.