By Norma de la Vega
SAN DIEGO — “If I say I’m a Christian, I must live like Christ taught us to do, loving and respecting my neighbor, without judgment or prejudice.”
That was the central message from the annual All Are Welcome Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano for LGBT+ community members.
Faithful from across the region, from many cultures, jammed the pews for the Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in San Diego on July 13.
“Christ’s love is perfect and unconditional,” Bishop Bejarano said in his homily. “We should experience that perfect and unconditional love through our Mother Church.”
The bishop continued his homily.
“It is for this reason that, today, we offer this Mass for those who feel unwelcomed and rejected by the Church, their mother,” the bishop said. “They are the victims of the harsh judgment and closed hearts and minds of some of its members.”
Other marginalized populations include those suffering from mental illness, the homeless, the addicted, the incarcerated and immigrants, he said.
How do we believe in those who call themselves Christians, when they are not truly living the unconditional love of Christ?
“Can I defend the unborn, and at the same time be in favor of the ICE raids targeting innocent working immigrants?”
He said that the Gospel says “no” (Matt 25).
“How can we close our hearts to LGBTQ individuals when we have not made a minimum effort to spend time with them, to listen to their struggles and pains, and to journey with them, discovering the beauty of their souls, which are in the image and likeness of God?
“A good Samaritan should always see these and other peoples with the eyes of the Gospel,” he added, referring to that day’s reading of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25).
The bishop said that many people have suffered rejection and stigmatization at some point in their lives.
“The heart of Jesus is open to all, and it will never reject anyone.”
The Mass-goers applauded the bishop, giving him a standing ovation. After the Mass, some shared their thoughts.
“This is very encouraging because you can feel that the message from the Bible is as real as real life,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “It was an empowering message.”
“We’re super glad, and super thankful to be included here, as part of the faith,” said Ramón Sandoval, of the organization Colectivo Viva Vivo, which offers sex education on both sides of the border.
Support Available
Parishes that have a ministry outreach to the LGBT community include:
St. John the Evangelist, San Diego
Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Diego,
St. Catherine Labouré, San Diego
St. Brigid, San Diego
St. Thomas More, Oceanside
St. Francis of Assisi, Vista
