Given the context of the conversations occurring over the past week, I want you to know of the continued support for the LGBTQ community by myself and the Division of Mission and Ministry.

An essential principle of advocacy of the LGBTQ community, and one that we embrace together, is that love is love – and love is not a sin. It is a gift from God and an opportunity. Love is the way of human fulfillment and we pray that each person finds love in their own life.

In his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship, Pope Francis invites us to reflect on love and reminds us that our mission is not to impose doctrine, but to simply spread the love of God. To all people, without exception.  The Vincentian spirit calls us to love and ennoble the God-given dignity of all, and we will continue to follow that spirit in all that we do.

One of the ways we wish to publicly show our support is through the signing of a statement made by a group of Catholic Bishops affirming the LGBTQ community.  The statement declares that, “All people of goodwill should help, support, and defend LGBT youth; who attempt suicide at much higher rates than their straight counterparts; who are often homeless because of families who reject them; who are rejected, bullied and harassed; and who are the target of violent acts at alarming rates.” It tells LGBTQ community members “we stand with you and oppose any form of violence, bullying or harassment directed at you. Know that God created you, God loves you, and God is on your side.” DePaul University Mission and Ministry has added our name to the list of the statement signers: https://tylerclementi.org/catholicbishopsstatement/

For LGBTQ community members at DePaul and beyond, we see you, we love you, and we are with you.

Fr. Guillermo Campuzano, CM
Vice President, DePaul Division of Mission and Ministry