by Joshua J. McElwee
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Responding to news of the resignation of Pope Benedict, several organizations which represent U.S. LGBT Catholics have asked that whoever is chosen as his successor listen to their concerns.
"With the pope’s impending resignation, the church has an opportunity to turn away from his oppressive policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics, and their families and friends, and develop a new understanding of the ways in which God is at work in the lives of faithful and loving people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity," stated Equally Blessed, a coalition of four organizations which support LGBT Catholics in the U.S.
"At this time of significant transition, we hope that the Cardinals who will elect the new Pope take time to listen to the people of the Church, and that they hear the voice of the Holy Spirit calling for a Pope who will be a Shepherd to all of God’s people," stated Dignity USA, the nation’s largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics.
"We hope for a leader who will work to heal the divisions of recent decades, and who values dialogue above conformity.