It’s a cold reality; parts of the Catholic Church are unsafe for families who have Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ family members. Thankfully, parts of the Catholic Church are safe for these populations because these dioceses have made a real effort to align pastoral ministry with science, especially in blue states. As a practitioner, I define Neurodivergent as anyone who falls on a psychological spectrum which diverges from the general population. This definition includes but is not limited to those with Autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. This also includes mental health diagnoses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and others mood disorders. Most practitioners would not classify LGBTQIA+ people as Neurodivergent, mainly because they fought so hard to have prior disability labels removed. I can safely say that LGBTQIA+ people fall on a true spectrum of psychology which is different than the majority. Different is not less than but equal, equally created and loved by God, no exception.
When I say that parts of the Catholic Church are truly unsafe for Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ people and their families, I mean this literally. Collective science now tells us that words and actions can mean the difference between life and death for the populations I mentioned above. Since converting to Catholicism 6 years ago, I have consistently witnessed both leadership and laity on all levels not following Catholic Social Teaching to honor The Sanctity of Life, the Dignity of the Human Person, The Call to Family, Church, and Society, various encyclicals from various Popes, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Jesus’ 2nd Greatest Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves when it comes to people who are different. This has lead to and continues to lead people who are different to attempted suicide, lasting psychological damage, lasting spiritual damage, not only to the minority family members but entire families.
I believe in keeping the larger family intact, in the Church, in the Faith, and in society as a functioning unit, no matter who is part of that family. This is part of why I love the Catholic Church for most families because the Catholic Church keeps the family strong. But simply not making room at the table for one different family member means not making room at the table for the entire family. Endangering one family member means endangering the entire family.
Catholic Social Teaching’s call to Honor The Sanctity of Life, the Dignity of the Human Person, The Call to Family, Church, and Society, various encyclicals from various Popes, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Jesus’ 2nd Greatest Commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves should be more than enough to properly apply all Church Teaching, various diocesan policies, and Canon Law to make the Catholic Church a safe place for anyone who chooses to be Catholic as Pope Francis has instructed. Truthfully, I don’t think it matters how varied diocesan policies are and what the moral law of Church teaching is if they are applied with charity and love. Room can still be made for those who are different and unable to follow all that the Church teaches because none of us are totally able. When Church Teaching and policy are applied with hatred and rejection, the law can and does harm and kill.
There are either open or closeted LGBTQIA+ youth in Catholic schools and parish families. There are also diagnosed and undiagnosed Neurodivergent people in Catholic Schools and parish families. Proper application has the potential to bring life and health. Misapplication of Church teaching and diocesan policy have the potential to harm and kill. If I didn’t spend time serving in Religious Trauma Recovery and if I hadn’t experienced this personally and as a practitioner, I wouldn’t be qualified to say write these things, but I am.
I believe that once the Catholic Church is totally safe from within, the world will be safer for Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ family members. Praise to the Catholic dioceses and jurisdictions who have aligned with science to make the Church safe for people and their families. I will not stop advocating and working in this ministry until my final breath.
I will now close with a repeated quote from the Hogg Foundation once more which is in alignment with every major medical association in the world.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In