Archbishop Wester Champions Listening as Path to LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
In a profound reflection that intertwines faith, love, and inclusivity, Archbishop John C. Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe highlights the critical role of listening in embodying the commandments of loving God and neighbor. His recent insights underscore a call for inclusiveness, particularly toward LGBTQ+ individuals, advocating for the Catholic Church to practice genuine listening as a form of love in action.
A Spiritual and Personal Reflection
Archbishop Wester’s contemplation is inspired by the Gospel for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, where Jesus emphasizes the interconnected commandments of loving God and neighbor. His message draws from personal experience—specifically a vivid hearing test that taught him the value of attentive listening, both spiritually and interpersonally.
Wester connects his reflections to scriptural tenets found in Deuteronomy and Leviticus, asserting that the foundational act of listening is integral to fulfilling these commandments. By referring to the biblical concept of “Shema,” which translates to “hear” or “listen,” Wester proposes that understanding and implementing divine love stems from attentively listening to God’s teachings.
Listening as the Core of Christian Love
The reflection further explores how listening to LGBTQ+ individuals is vital for Catholics to enact love and inclusivity. Wester echoes sentiments from esteemed theologians and leaders, such as Father Joseph Donders and Pope Francis, who have championed listening as essential for fostering communal and divine love. Father Donders was known to assert that the essence of love is found in the act of listening, a sentiment reflected in Archbishop’s message.
“True Christian love cannot compartmentalize people or God into preferred categories,” Wester emphasizes. He advocates for a holistic appreciation of individuals, urging Catholics to embrace the entire person, mirroring God’s call to love inclusively and completely.
Engaging with Diverse Experiences
Wester’s understanding has been shaped through his engagement in conferences with theologians and transgender individuals, where storytelling and active listening bridged divides and bolstered a sense of community.
He emphasizes that such experiences are crucial in dismantling biases, stating, “This kind of listening is what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all our strength, and your neighbor as yourself.”
By sharing these reflections, Archbishop Wester challenges the Catholic Church and its faithful to listen without prejudice and nurture inclusivity. Inspired by Pope Francis’s inclusive call of “Everyone, everyone, everyone!” Wester invites the Church to build bridges rather than barriers in community life.
Local Impact on San Juan County Community
Locally, the Archbishop’s message reverberates throughout San Juan County and the broader New Mexico community. This call to inclusivity has significant implications in a region known for its diversity, with residents from various cultural backgrounds and identities.
Father Michael O’Reilly of St. Francis Parish in downtown Farmington reflects on the Archbishop’s message as a vital step toward understanding. “Listening allows us to engage with each person’s story. By breaking down walls of division, we foster a community built on respect and love,” he states, highlighting the positive ripple effect such openness could have in local congregations.
LGBTQ+ advocates in San Juan County and beyond view the Archbishop’s statement as an encouraging development in the ongoing conversation about faith and identity. Local advocate Maria Gonzalez believes Wester’s leadership may inspire confidence among LGBTQ+ members of the Catholic Church who have historically faced exclusion.
Connections to Broader Conversations
This emphasis on listening and inclusivity aligns with global conversations on the Catholic Church’s role in embracing LGBTQ+ identities and fostering a sense of belonging. Wester’s reflections are part of a wider dialogue prompted by recent synods addressing these topics, highlighting the Catholic Church’s ongoing journey toward greater inclusivity.
Archbishop Wester’s call for transformation through listening corresponds with similar movements within other religious communities globally, where leaders are increasingly advocating for inclusive practices and open dialogues.
Future Implications for the Church and Community
As Archbishop Wester’s message continues to resonate, it poses potential implications for the Catholic Church’s future directions and policies. It represents an opportunity for the Church to actively engage with and uplift marginalized voices, including those of the LGBTQ+ community.
Dr. Elizabeth Valera, a theologian at the University of New Mexico, underscores the potential for such reflections to incite meaningful change. “Archbishop Wester’s guidance exemplifies a progressive approach to faith, one that honors authentic relationships and calls upon the Church to act with compassion and justice,” she comments.
San Juan County residents can access further resources and participate in dialogue through organizations like New Ways Ministry, which has championed building bridges between LGBTQ+ individuals and the Catholic Church since 1977. More information can be found on their website, www.newwaysministry.org.
In summary, as the Catholic Church reflects on Archbishop Wester’s profound insights, it is confronted with an invitation to deepen its understanding of love through listening, bridging divides to foster a more inclusive and harmonious community.
