— A Public Letter to Our Community —

“Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples if the rituals don’t resemble marriage” — A Response and Call to Action from Love Your Labels

Recently, Pope Francis has been acknowledged for approving blessings for same-sex couples within the Catholic Church, which has sparked conversation around the institution's motivations, some seeing it as progress to a more inclusive Catholicism and others a performative act that sits atop a legacy of harm against LGBTQ+ people that continues today. Love Your Labels, as an organization, celebrates and supports members of our community who hold religious beliefs and value their spirituality. We also encourage and make space for institutions to learn, grow, and change to become affirming and inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ folks can thrive. It is also our responsibility to actively advocate against harmful policies and practices that negatively impact and continue to marginalize our community, especially youth.

This recent news seems to overshadow the continued harm against LGBTQ+ youth happening right here in our Worcester community. In August of this year, the Worcester Diocese, under the leadership of Bishop Robert McManus, implemented anti-LBTQ+ policies that mandated the updating of student handbooks to ban same-sex relationships and expression/behaviors inconsistent with birth-assigned sex. The policy's coverage of gender identity and sexual orientation, including the potential for expulsion for actions deemed "confusing" or "scandalous," perpetuates a culture of intolerance and discrimination. 

On August 23, 2023, Love Your Labels, in partnership with the YWCA, MassEquality, and 100+ community members protested outside of the Catholic Diocese and marched to City Hall to raise awareness of these policies and demand the Diocese reconsider and revoke them, which was also reflected in a Change.org Petition that as of 12/19/2023 has over 2,100 signatures as well as a published Community Letter signed by legislators, nonprofit and corporate leaders, and concerned community members. 

To date, the Worcester Diocese has not revoked its position and has implemented these policies across Catholic schools. Bishop McManus, in a recent Telegram & Gazette article, released a statement on the document issued by the Vatican’s doctrine office saying, “Fiducia supplicans, issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and approved by Pope Francis, has reaffirmed that the Church does not have the power to impart a liturgical blessing on irregular or same-sex couples or to bless their union," McManus said. "It can, however, offer a type of blessing that can be conferred on anyone to invoke God’s help and mercy in their lives if the individuals seek to be guided by a greater understanding of God’s plan for love and truth. These blessings are offered for the people themselves, not their union."

This statement continues to showcase the Bishop’s anti-LGBTQ+ views and reaffirms his intentions to continue to marginalize, exclude, and punish LGBTQ+ youth within Catholic institutions under the Worcester Diocese. If Pope Francis is working toward genuine inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, we request the Vatican intervene here in Worcester. 

Love Your Labels requests Catholics in support of an LGBTQ+ inclusive Catholicism and any member of our community who care about creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to sign the petition and share it widely. Let’s not let statements of love and acceptance behind a podium stay there; we must demand action to dismantle harmful policies that are affecting our youth. 

Thank you & Onward,
Joshua Croke, President & Cofounder on behalf of the Love Your Labels Board of Directors