The Assembly of the World Network of Rainbow Catholics (GNRC) has turned Madrid into the capital of LGTBIQ+ Christians for a few days. And, in this context, the voice of Cardinal José Cobo, archbishop of Madrid and vice president of the Episcopal Conference, has resonated strongly. In a letter sent to the ecumenical vigil held at the Hermitage of the Virgen del Puerto, Cobo asked for “a Church with open doors, welcoming and fraternal,” capable of walking with respect and compassion.
A Church in motion
The cardinal’s message did not go unnoticed. He recognized that the Church still has a pending path in its relationship with the LGTBIQ+ community, but also highlighted the need to move towards new pastoral attitudes. “We are opening new doors and new ways of accompanying”, he stated, insisting on the centrality of human dignity.
His letter was received as a significant gesture, especially after, a few weeks ago, Cobo himself received representatives of the Crismhom Association in Madrid. Then, the community highlighted the meeting as a “warm and enriching” dialogue.
This afternoon, four representatives of our community were received by the Archbishop of Madrid, Don José Cobo.
The welcome has been very warm and the dialogue has been enriching. We continue to build bridges towards a more inclusive Church. 💜@archimadrid @CardenalCobo pic.twitter.com/jQcJNQ6ekP— CRISMHOM (@CRISMHOM_) July 22, 2025
Madrid, venue of a historic meeting
It is the first time that this world assembly is held in Spain. For several days, voices from around the world have claimed that “LGTBI rights are human rights” and that the Church cannot remain aloof from this reality.
The co-presidents of the GNRC, Marianne Duddy-Burke and Christopher Vella, stressed the urgency of opening paths of justice and welcome, while theologians such as María Luisa Berzosa and Cristina Inogés recalled that the Gospel calls to include those who have historically been relegated. “After the resurrection nothing is the same, because Christ was resurrected for everyone,” said Inogés.
Looking towards Rome
Cobo’s gesture is also part of a larger horizon: the Jubilee of people with diverse sexual orientation, scheduled in Rome in September 2025. The cardinal expressed his desire that the Assembly in Madrid serve as spiritual preparation for this event, which promises to be a new milestone in the history of inclusion within Catholicism.
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Between hope and caution
Now, although Cobo’s words set a different tone, it is also legitimate to ask: to what extent will this speech translate into real changes within the Church? There are those who fear that it will remain symbolic gestures, without concrete transformations in parish life. For many LGTBIQ+ believers, full inclusion still seems far away. The tension between the official message and everyday experiences of exclusion remains a challenge that is difficult to ignore.
In any case, the Assembly of Rainbow Catholics in Madrid has made it clear that the debate can no longer be postponed. The meeting not only brought together LGTBIQ+ believers, but also theologians, activists and communities that dream of a Church where no one is left out.
Cobo himself summed it up with a simple, but powerful idea: “We will never do enough to achieve the warmth of Jesus’ welcome.” A phrase that leaves open the underlying question: is the Church willing to truly walk towards that unconditional welcome?
