Church supports LGBT community. Are there grounds for gay marriage finally?
The Czech Church has shown support for the LGBT community. Priests and theologians are fighting against the stereotyping of queer people.
The Church's approach to LGBT people is ambiguous, but there is no doubt that it is evolving over time. The Vatican has raised various issues regarding the presence of the LGBT people in the community of the faithful. One of Pope Francis' recent decisions was to allow transgender people to receive baptism and become godparents.
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Although this is the official standpoint of the Vatican, not all priests are so open to the issue. The LGBT community still faces discrimination when it comes to, for example, church weddings or obtaining absolution during the sacrament of penance. And let's not forget about priests’ inciting against people of non-heteronormative orientation or contesting their freedom of expressing sexuality.
Czech Church supports LGBT minorities
The "Rainbow-coloured Faith" initiative has been launched in the Czech Republic by 20-year-old Tobiáš Frýdl. After the man had noticed that the Church's voice is discriminatory and hostile towards LGBT people, he decided to publicise the views of those priests and clergy who offer support and understanding to the rainbow community.
Czech clergymen have spoken positively about the project. Retired Bishop Štěpán Klásek of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church emphasised that the most important thing according to the Bible is love.
Theologian Mikuláš Vymětal added that there are some biblical reasons to recognise same-sex marriages.
Positive voices are also heard from the evangelical community. Pastor Petr Turecký emphasises that the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren is very open and officially blesses homosexual unions.
We have been dealing with this for a long time now. In 2006, the Synodal Council published extensive records and note prepared by our distinguished theologians. They were written clearly in favour of homosexuals
We have been dealing with this for a long time now. In 2006, the Synodal Council published extensive records and note prepared by our distinguished theologians. They were written clearly in favour of homosexuals
- concluded Turecký.
Two different worlds? Tobiáš Frýdl on Church and LGBT
Tobiáš Frýdl, the initiator of the project, believes that the two worlds – the Church and LGBT community - are not at all mutually exclusive. He recognises the difficulties, of course, but in his view they are not to be impossible to overcome. Frýdl is not overly optimistic, but believes that the situation of LGBT people in the community of the faithful can change. He also stresses that there are now more inclusive communities in the Czech Republic that care for LGBT minorities than ever before.
Source: mylilefeluke.blogspot.com, zpravy.aktualne.cz
