The Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach (AGLO) of Chicago recently marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 35th anniversary with a Mass held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Established in 1988 under the guidance of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, AGLO has remained a steadfast ministry, providing spiritual support and a safe space for LGBTQ+ Catholics.
AGLO’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church has garnered support from influential figures such as Cardinal Bernardin and Cardinal Francis George. Currently, the ministry enjoys the backing of Cardinal Blase Cupich, who presided over the anniversary Mass.
The Mass, attended by hundreds of worshippers, served as a reminder of AGLO’s dedication to inclusivity and acceptance. During the liturgy, Cardinal Cupich emphasized the importance of the AGLO community as a collective that supports one another, echoing the sentiment that unity leads to progress.
AGLO’s weekly Masses, spiritual retreats, social events, and outreach initiatives provide LGBTQ+ individuals with opportunities to explore and celebrate their faith while being part of a vibrant community. The ministry aims to create a safe space where LGBTQ+ Catholics can fully embrace their identities and engage with their faith.
AGLO’s director of outreach and liturgy, Joe Vitek, expressed gratitude for the groundwork laid by the ministry’s founding members and the subsequent generations of leaders who have carried it forward. Vitek hopes to inspire future generations of LGBTQ+ Catholics to find solace and acceptance within the church.
Demonstrators gathered outside the church during the anniversary Mass, underscoring the ongoing need for organizations like AGLO. Their presence highlights the persistence of stigmatization and exclusion faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in some communities. Vitek reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the belief that all people, regardless of sexual orientation or other factors, share an equal and rightful place in the church by virtue of their baptism.
Cardinal Cupich, in a letter to the congregation, emphasized that the church should be a space where all individuals are respected and treated with kindness and gentleness. He rejected the notion of treating people as “others” and stressed the Church’s responsibility to embrace and love all of God’s children.
As AGLO Chicago celebrates its 35th anniversary, it remains a beacon of hope, providing solace, support, and spiritual nourishment for LGBTQ+ Catholics. Through their unwavering commitment to inclusivity, AGLO continues to foster a sense of belonging and acceptance within the Catholic community, reminding us that everyone deserves love and a place to worship.
Sources:
- Duriga, J. (2023, July 5). Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach celebrates 35th anniversary. Chicago Catholic.
- Camarillo, E. (2023). Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach of Chicago celebrates its 35th anniversary. Chicago Sun-Times.
- Image Credit: Participants hold hands during the Our Father at the 35th anniversary Mass for the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach of Chicago on June 18, 2023, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)