An open letter to Pope Francis from parents of LGBT children.

Most Holy Father,

In the light of your forthcoming pilgrimage to Poland for the celebration of World Youth Day, we, the parents of LGBT children, are daring  to turn to Your Holiness with a call for help. We are driven by the care and concern regarding the future of our children. Our fear is justified by  widespread homophobia in Polish society.

We are turning to Your Holiness because we see in you a higher authority and a guardian of human rights and dignity. Most Polish believers are Catholics and the Catholic Church has a strong influence on the public opinion in our country. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which serves as a moral guide for believers, speaks of homosexuals in the following way (CCC 2358):

“The number of men and women who have deep­-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial for most of them. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”

So why is there so much homophobia among Polish Catholics? Why aren’t the priests reminding us in their sermons that those who are LGBT are also God’s children and therefore only God can judge them?

On a daily basis, our children face hate-fueled  attacks, verbal assaults and even physical violence only because they were created that way by God. Homosexuality is not a disease that can be treated. It is a natural way of being. And still, homosexuals feel that they are forced to hide their existence.

Polish society is very intolerant, and any otherness is discriminated against(however the most perceptible one is the discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation).

And yet the Holy Scripture  tells the story of David and Jonathan, who loved each other deeply. Jesus himself never said anything about the love between people of the same sex.

Unfortunately, recently the negative stance towards homosexuals has grown significantly in Poland. Attacks on offices of organisations working with homosexuals, burning of LGBT symbols, and beatings of non­-heterosexuals have become common.

Instead of compassion for families, society is engulfed by a wave of homophobia. It is alarming that  groups calling for such actions are raising their heads. Firm opposition to these attacks on the LGBT community is missing. Only the voice of Your Holiness can prevent future tragedies.

LGBT persons are excluded from the Church, even though many of them believe in God and want to practice and deepen their faith. Holy Masses and spiritual retreats for homosexuals are held in hiding, in secret. Only a handful of priests are able to empathize with their situation.

For us, as their parents, this is also  painful and hard to accept because it affects our children whom we love so much. Why does the Church confine itself to the role of passive observer of such treatment  of one’s neighbours?

We, as parents, wholeheartedly ask Your Holiness to intercede and to pray for our homosexual children who are kind, sensitive, wise, and worthy people. The words of Your Holiness are truly the only way to stop the hatred that is aimed at our children and our families. We plead with Your Holiness to speak up with the words that will help our children to live with dignity and  without fear and hatred.

We assure Your Holiness of our prayers and wish you an abundance of health and strength in your serving of God and people.

We are very much looking forward to your visit to Poland. And we have a great hope that we will hear the words of consolation and support for us, the parents, and for our children.

Respectfully yours in Christ,

Parents of LGBT children.