As part of my response to the sudden “closure” of the Soho Masses, I’ve been writing extensively about the need to do more than simply move our existing congregation from Warwick Street to Farm Street. There is a dire need for far more extensive and effective ministry in many more parishes, more parts of the country, and to people that cannot be reached in the context of existing ministries. I asked my readers recently, “What Are YOU Doing, to Promote LGBT Ministry?” . Although the context for putting the question was a British  one, and specifically for the Westminster diocese, the question is in fact relevant, wherever you are. (I will shortly be writing more on my own personal response to the challenge, outlining my plans for “Next Steps Ministries“).

Meanwhile, a reader (“William from Philadelphia”)  has replied with one concrete, simple suggestion that is available to all Catholics, anywhere: write to the Pope.

I have recently started following your blog and have really been fascinated about your posts, and of course your courageous faith to help bring about necessary changes in church for our fellow LGBT faithful. I was just wondering if you have heard of any movement to address the Pope directly in terms of our causes. Is there a way for lay people to send letters to the Pope directly?

When I read about the Pope’s annual Christmas message I just thought, can’t we just tell him directly how hurtful his words are, and how many Catholics have been and are continually are getting turned off by such messages, causing many to leave the Church. I thought maybe if people affected by the Pope’s LGBT-negative strikes could personally tell him how he is making a lot of people feel then maybe he’ll heed to our call, at the very least for dialogue about these pressing matters.

Thank you very much for your steadfast effort to further our cause.

William titled his email “Simple (or simplistic?) idea for action”. Simple it is, but simplistic it emphatically is not. We know that letter writing campaigns achieve results  - for our opponents. It was intensive lobbying to the CDF that twice contributed to invitations to the theologian Professor Tina Beattie being withdrawn, and it has been an intensive letter writing campaign over many years that ultimately forced Archbishop Vincent Nichols to yield to intense pressure from the CDF, and end the Soho Masses in their present form. Conversely, the English bishops are encouraging Catholics to write to our Members of Parliament to oppose the equal marriage legislation, and more recently to distribute a million preprinted postcards to add to their lobbying efforts. There is no reason whatsoever why the tactic should be the sole preserve of the conservative forces in the Church.

Some years ago, I wrote about an American Catholic, Joseph Gentilini, who has taken on this task, of writing to American bishops (all of them, one at a time) as his personal contribution to our struggle. I was able to publish Dr Gentilini’s personal story of how he came to this ministry here, and his suggestions on how to write to bishops, here. has I have also heard from other readers who have written to their local bishops. I am not aware of anything formally organized in what William describes as a “movement” in this regard, but there’s no real need for structure. For the convenience of those who would like to take up the suggestion, I offer below a list of addresses for some relevant departments in the Vatican, and (for English readers), contact details for the bishops of England and Wales – all adapted from the helpful list provided at Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, who have been so effective in waging a constant war of letters to Rome, in opposition to LGBT Catholics and the Soho Masses. Let us take up their own weapons, against them.

I am aware that the list as published by PEEP is already a little out of date. I will check and update it as soon as I can.

Writing to Rome

Please play your part to help turn around the desperate situation in this country. Remember when reporting abuses and dissent to Rome, keep letters factual and as brief as possible, giving places and dates where appropriate and enclosing any supporting documentary evidence where possible.

Send to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (e-mail: benedictxvi @ vatican.va) a copy of any letter you write to Rome. If you are in any doubt or need advice, please don’t hesitate to contact me, terence@queerchurch.com, or tel (+44) 755 6051

Address your letters to the following:

On all matters relating to the Church, especially dissent from Catholic doctrine on respect and welcome for all:

Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith

Piazza del S. Uffizio, 11
00120, Vatican City State, Europe
Phone: 011 39 06 6988 3357 Fax: 011 39 06 6988 3409
Secretary: The Most Rev.Angelo Amato, S.D.B.

On matters relating to Bishops:

Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Palazzo delle Congregazione
Piazza Pio XII, 10
00120 Vatican City State, Europe
Phone:011 39 06 6988 4217 Fax: 011 39 06 6988 4300
Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Francesco Monterisi

On matters relating to the family and marriage:

President of the Pontifical Council for the Family

Piazza S. Calisto, 16
00120 Vatican City State, Europe
Phone: 011 39 06 6988 7322 Fax: 011 39 06 6988 7214
Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Josef Clemens pcpl @ laity.va

On matters relating to Seminaries, Catholic Schools and Colleges:

Prefect of the Congregation for Education

Piazza Pio XII, 10
00120 Vatican City State, Europe

United Kingdom:

Contacting the Papal Nuncio for Great Britain:

His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Mennini

TO ASSIST YOU WHEN WRITING TO YOUR BISHOP, FIND THE NAME AND ADDRESS HERE, LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY DIOCESE.  

Related articles

• What Are YOU Doing, to Promote LGBT Ministry?
• LGBT Ministry: A Mustard Seed Begins to Sprout.
• “He Sent Me to Give the Good News to the Queers”
• We need Gay Masses beyond Soho
• Speak the Truth in Love: Write Your Bishop.
• Guest Post: “The Ministry of Writing Letters.”
• How to Right the Bishops