Mon Sep 09 15:41:17 UTC 2024: ## San Diego Diocese Celebrates “All Are Welcome” Mass, Bishop Apologizes to LGBTQ+ Community
**San Diego, CA** – In a significant step towards greater inclusivity, the Diocese of San Diego hosted an “All Are Welcome” Mass this past June, celebrating Pride Month. The liturgy, attended by six parishes, featured an apology from Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano to the LGBTQ+ community on behalf of the church.
During his homily, Bishop Bejarano emphasized God’s love for all, referencing Pope Francis’s message of “Todos, todos, todos” (Everyone, everyone, everyone). He acknowledged the church’s past failings in welcoming and accepting LGBTQ+ individuals, expressing regret for the pain and stigma caused by past actions.
“I apologize for the pain and distress that I and the Church have caused to many of you,” said Bishop Bejarano. “I apologize for the stigmatization and trauma we have caused to others, because we have told them that they are not valued and that they are not worthy of the love of God.”
The Mass also included intercessions focused on the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups, such as refugees, those with mental illness, and the unhoused. The bishop concluded with a special blessing, expressing a desire for the church to grow in its appreciation for the diversity of God’s creation and embrace all individuals, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The “All Are Welcome” Mass was co-sponsored by several parishes in the diocese, including St. John the Evangelist, St. Thomas More, St. Catherine Labouré, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Joseph Cathedral, St. Francis of Assisi, and Saint Brigid. The Diocese of San Diego and its leader, Cardinal Robert McElroy, also supported the event.
This initiative marks a positive step for LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Catholic Church, offering a message of hope and acceptance for many who have felt marginalized in the past.
First Piper 