LGBT Catholics: a paradigmatic case of intra-confessional pluralism (original) (raw)

I will reflect on the reconciliation between ‘subjective’ life and ‘objective’ doctrine experienced by Catholic LGBT couples. Even though their particular experience cannot be considered as universal it can nevertheless constitute a case study for theological reflection. I will propose a theological model for the integration of LGBT Catholics into the Christian community. The case of LGBT Catholics also helps us address the theoretical difficulties of religious pluralism. Their experience of faith is an example of “lived pluralism”. In the lexicon of religious pluralism, this experience is a case of intra-system or intra-theistic diversity, but it also touches upon the meta-theological issue of the model of reason that is to be applied to every system. I believe that every possible case of pluralism is worth considering if we want to theorise this concept. This may lead us to consider pluralism as a premise from which to start that is articulated at different levels. This premise has several theoretical consequences that I want to elucidate.