LGBT groups meet with primate

Faith groups supportive of lesbian and gay rights have met the Primate of All Ireland to discuss the Church’s relationship with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT), writes Katherine Backler.

Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh met last week for the first time with delegations from Faith in Marriage Equality (FiME) and We Are Church Ireland. LGBT Catholics shared their experiences and views with the archbishop and Dr Richard O’Leary, of FiME, stressed that the Church’s failure to affirm LGBT people contributed to their increased suicide rate.

He reported that Archbishop Martin said he was committed to continuing dialogue and that he was concerned about the pastoral care of gay persons.