Dear beloved friends in the LGBTIQ+ community,
We, as followers of Jesus Christ, want to express our love, respect, and compassion for you. We recognize that your journey has not been easy and that you have faced many challenges and struggles along the way. But we want you to know that we stand with you, support you, and love you unconditionally.
We believe that every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is a beloved child of God, created in God’s image and deserving of love, respect, and dignity. We recognize that the Church has not always been a welcoming or safe place for you, and for that, we are deeply sorry. We acknowledge that we have often failed to show you the love and acceptance that you deserve, and for that, we ask for your forgiveness.
We want you to know that we are committed to creating a more inclusive and loving community, where everyone is welcomed and accepted just as they are. We want to walk alongside you, support you, and advocate for your rights because we believe that all human beings deserve to be treated with kindness, compassion, and respect.
We find inspiration and guidance in the words of the Apostle Paul, who wrote in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that in Christ, all barriers that separate us from one another are removed, and that we are all one in Him.
We want to encourage you to keep fighting for equality and justice and to never give up hope. We believe that together, we can create a world where everyone is treated with the love and respect they deserve.
With love and compassion,
The Right Revd Antonio Nercua Ablon, IFI
Bishop, The Filipino Chaplaincy in Europe
This photo was taken on July 29, 2022, at the University of Kent during the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion and I was with the Obispo Maximo Rhee Timbang and Bishop Bert Calang of the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro.
The Theology of Struggle. 