LGBT+ Catholics Westminster begin 25th anniversary month

Martin Pendergast addresses crowd

Source: LGBT+ Catholics Westminster

LGBT+ Catholics Westminster marked the start of its 25th anniversary month by laying 25 red roses during the annual commemoration of Soho's Admiral Duncan pub bombing which took place on 30 April 1999. The ceremony took place with a capacity crowd, filling St Anne's Gardens, Wardour Street, Soho. LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council Secretary, Martin Pendergast, who was also a co-founder of the Westminster LGBT+ Community Forum in 2000, spoke alongside the Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Adam Hug, and the City of Westminster's Mayor Cllr Patricia McAllister.

He said : "On the Sunday after 30 April 1999 we had planned the first of monthly Masses welcoming LGBT+ Catholics, parents, families and friends. As it happens, one of the priests who regularly celebrated these Masses was at the Wardour Street end of Old Compton Street when the bomb went off on that gloriously sunny but equally devastating evening. He ran back to offer prayer and "blessing to those lying injured around the pavements.

The late Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Basil Hume, terminally ill himself, was the first faith leader to respond to the tragedy, saying: 'There can be no place for homophobic violence among us. The Church has a serious responsibility to work towards the elimination of any injustices perpetrated on homosexuals by society. As a group that has suffered more than its share of oppression and contempt, the homosexual community has particular claim upon the concern of the Church.' And so we offer these 25 roses in love and solidarity that those who have died may rest in peace and rise in glory and power."

Other events marking LGBT+ Catholics Westminster's 25th Anniversary month

Saturday, 11 May 2024, 3-5pm approx.
Reflecting and recalling our history: From Oscar Wilde to Farm Street Church
A Central London Prayer and Reflection Walk to mark the 25th anniversary of Masses welcoming LGBT+ Catholics, parents & families. Starting at the Oscar Wilde Memorial, Adelaide Street (behind St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square), stopping at Notre Dame de France Church, St Anne's Church, Admiral Duncan Pub, Church of the Assumption & St Gregory, Farm Street Jesuit Church

Saturday 25 May 10am - 4pm
Anniversary Day Conference: LGBT+ Catholics in a Synodal Church - keynote address by Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP
At London Jesuit Centre Aula Magna, 114 Mount Street W1K 3AH.
Register before Thursday 23 May: communications@lgbtcatholicswestminster.org

Sunday 26 May 5.30pm
Trinity Sunday - 25th Anniversary Mass
Farm Street Jesuit Church, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH
Auxiliary Bishop Rt Rev Paul McAleenan will preside

Further details: Martin Pendergast - Secretary - LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council
email: communications@lgbtcathoiicswestminster.org Tel: 020 8986 0807