Outreach 2023

LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference
Fordham Lincoln Center, June 16-18

Each summer, Outreach gathers LGBTQ lay people, clergy, scholars, artists, educators, students and family members to build community, share best practices and worship together.

Our three-day conference, held at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus, in Manhattan, from June 16 to 18, featured keynote presentations, panels, liturgies and opportunities for networking and friendship.

This year, our keynote speakers were Tania Tetlow, the president of Fordham University; Juan Carlos Cruz, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and Marianne Duddy-Burke, the executive director of DignityUSA.

See below for a full schedule of events. Keynotes are available on our YouTube channel.

Couldn’t make it to the conference? Please consider donating to Outreach to support our vital work.

Support us

Our 2023 conference was sponsored by:

Outreach 2023 in images

During a homily in September 2016, Pope Francis described a major theme of his papacy: fostering “the culture of encounter.” As reported by L’Osservatore Romano, the pope said that, on the street, “people pass each other, but they do not encounter each other.” Francis (and Christ) calls Catholics to something different—a way of meeting people, a way of entering into dialogue that reflects a true Christian compassion.

There is no doubt that Jesus was an extraordinary communicator who drew people towards him through mercy and garnered the trust of the Apostles in his wisdom. In imitating Christ, the pope asks Catholics to truly meet the other with “not just seeing, but looking; not just hearing, but listening.”

Our second in-person conference, hosted by Fordham University from June 16 to 18, 2023, provided a live forum to share best pratices on LGBTQ pastoral ministry, to build a diverse community of believers and to worship together. We welcomed panelists and attendees from the U.S., Argentina, Australia, England, Italy, Spain, Malta, Belgium and Germany. We heard stirring keynotes from Tania Tetlow, the president of Fordham; Marianne Duddy-Burke, the executive director of DignityUSA; and Juan Carlos Cruz, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. And we were graced with the presence and support of Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M., who celebrated our closing Mass at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle.

Below, you will find pictures of the culture of encounter in practice. The 2023 Outreach conference gathered hundreds of people from around the world and brought them face-to-face, where the French philosopher Emmanuel Levinas writes that we become responsible for one another. Encountering the face of the other draws us closer to Christ and demands us to discover others with tenderness; we encounter “the word of God in the face,” says Levinas. Please enjoy the faces below as a reflection of the People of God.

Panelists Deacon Ray Dever of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Sister Luisa Derouen, O.P., arrive at the Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Conference attendees gather for lunch at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

A crowd attends the panel on LGBTQ ministry in high schools at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Rev. Jay Woods, O.F.M., of St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, and filmmaker Brendan Fay walk outside the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, during the 2023 Outreach conference. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Sister Jeannine Gramick, S.L., Rev. Bryan Massingale and Outreach managing editor Ryan Di Corpo attend the panel of LGBTQ clergy and religious at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Miki Herrlein of Germany, Outreach donor Mark A. McDermott and Rev. Bryan Massingale arrive at the Outreach conference on Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

From left: Jason Steidl Jack, Lisa Fullam, Craig A. Ford, Jr., and Brian Flanagan attend the panel on Catholic theology and the LGBTQ person at the Fordham University School of Law on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

People gather for lunch during the 2023 Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Juan Carlos Cruz, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, poses at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., attends a prayer service at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, during the Outreach conference on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Di Corpo/Outreach)

Members of the Outreach conference choir, organized by Bruce Rameker (first row, second from right), seen at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Di Corpo/Outreach)

Rev. Steven Bell, C.S.P., sings during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Outreach conference attendees pose outside the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Branded hats displayed during the Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., welcomes attendees to the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Harold W. Attridge, Amy-Jill Levine, Rev. James Martin, S.J., and Brandan Robertson attend the panel on the Bible and homosexuality at the Fordham University School of Law on June 16, 2023. Not pictured is panelist Grant Hartley. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Author and immigration attorney Yunuen Trujillo (right) speaks during a panel on ministering to the LGBTQ Latinx community at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. At left is Rev. Eddie De León, C.M.F. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Shelly Fitzgerald, Emma Cieslik and Marianne Palacios attend the panel on the Catholic lesbian experience at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Ethan Strouse, an M.Div. student at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, attends the Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Hilary Howes speaks during the panel on transgender Catholics at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Tania Tetlow, the first lay and first woman president of Fordham University, delivers a keynote address at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Conference attendees gather at the Fordham University School of Law before a panel discussion. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Alessandra Rose, the development manager at America Media, and Chaplain Donna A. Zuroweste, B.C.C., attend the panel on the Catholic lesbian experience at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

A group photo of Outreach conference attendees gathered in the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. In the first row, at center, is Fordham president Tania Tetlow. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Kevin Christopher Robles (left), the studio manager at America Media, and Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., descend the stairs outside the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

David B. Harvie (left) and Bill Chapman attend the panel on starting LGBTQ groups in Catholic parishes at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Willy Bombeek, Rev. Andrea Conocchia, Christopher Vella, Rev. Cristóbal Rodríguez and Marc Frings attend the panel on international LGBTQ Catholics at the Fordham University School of Law on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Michael Vazquez, Carl Siciliano, Jean-Marie Navetta and Ross Murray attend the panel on working with national LGBTQ groups at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Conference attendees listen to a panel discussion at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Brother Mickey McGrath, O.S.F.S., presents his artwork at the Fordham University School of Law on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Craig A. Ford, Jr. (left) and Rev. Bryan Massingale attend the panel on the Black, Catholic and LGBTQ experience at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. Not pictured is panelist Tevin Williams. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Marianne Duddy-Burke, the executive director of DignityUSA, delivers a keynote address at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Juan Carlos Cruz, a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, speaks to conference attendees at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. At right is Outreach editor James Martin, S.J. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Outreach contributing writer David Palmieri, a theology teacher at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Mass., speaks during the panel on LGBTQ ministry in high school at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 18, 2023. Behind him are Mary-Kate Tracy and Ish Ruiz. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

JoEllen Musselman (left) speaks during the panel on raising LGBTQ Catholic children at the Fordham University School of Law on June 18, 2023. She is joined by Michele McMahon, Timothy J. McMahon and Ivan Briggiler. Not pictured is panelist Lisa McClure Guthrie. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Keith Wildenberg speaks during the panel on living a life of chastity at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 18, 2023. To the left is panelist Grant Hartley, and at right, panelist Dawn Eden Goldstein. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

From left: Christopher Vella, Rev. Cristóbal Rodríguez, Marianne Duddy-Burke and Willy Bombeek pose for a photo at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

From left: Rev. Jay Woods, O.F.M.; Outreach editor James Martin, S.J.; Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M.; and Rev. Eric Andrews, C.S.P., at the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Fordham president Tania Tetlow and Outreach managing editor Ryan Di Corpo pose at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Rev. Eric Andrews, C.S.P., the pastor at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, speaks during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Music ministry members sing during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M. (center) speaks during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Congregants attend the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Music ministry members sing during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Lynn Discenza, the president of the PFLAG chapter in Waterbury, Conn., snaps a photo with Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M., outside the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., speaks during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

An Outreach conference attendee receives the Blood of Christ at the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

A music ministry member sings during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Conference attendees gather for lunch at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

A crowd attends the panel on LGBTQ ministry in high schools at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 18, 2023. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

People gather for lunch during the 2023 Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus. (Photo courtesy of James Martin, S.J./Outreach)

Rev. Steven Bell, C.S.P., sings during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Outreach conference attendees pose outside the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Branded hats displayed during the Outreach conference at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Hilary Howes speaks during the panel on transgender Catholics at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Conference attendees gather at the Fordham University School of Law before a panel discussion. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Conference attendees listen to a panel discussion at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Brother Mickey McGrath, O.S.F.S., presents his artwork at the Fordham University School of Law on June 17, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cristobal Spielmann/America Media)

Music ministry members sing during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Congregants attend the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Music ministry members sing during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

A music ministry member sings during the closing Mass for the Outreach conference at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City, on June 18, 2023. (OSV news photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)

Conference schedule

Friday, June 16

9:30am: Registration (McMahon Lobby, 155 W. 60th St.)

11:00am: Opening Prayer, Church of St. Paul the Apostle, Bruce Rameker

12:00pm: Catered Lunch (G76 and Garden Lounge)

1:30 to 3:00pm: Panels

The Bible and Homosexuality (Moot Court)
Grant Hartley
Harold W. Attridge
Amy-Jill Levine
Brandan Robertson
James Martin, S.J. (moderator)

Ministero en la Communidad Latinx (McMahon 109)
Rev. Eddie De León, C.M.F.
Natalia Imperatori-Lee (moderator)
Ish Ruiz
Eder Díaz Santillan
Yunuen Trujillo

The Catholic Lesbian Experience (G76 A/B)
Emma Cieslik
Shelly Fitzgerald
Marianne Palacios (moderator)

3:00 to 4:00pm: Prayer, Reflection and Discussion

4 to 5:30pm: Panels

Catholic Theology and the LGBTQ Person (Moot Court)
Brian Flanagan
Craig Ford (moderator)
Lisa Fullam
Jason Steidl Jack

The Church and the Transgender Catholic (McMahon 109)
Sr. Luisa Derouen, O.P. (moderator)
Deacon Ray Dever
Hilary and Celestine Howes
Christine Zuba

LGBTQ Ministry in Colleges and Universities (G76 A/B)
Rev. Joseph Corpora, C.S.C., University of Notre Dame
Megan Fox-Kelly, College of the Holy Cross (moderator)
Kevin Molloy, Fairfield University
Tania Tetlow, Fordham University

6:00pm: Catered Dinner

7:30pm: Keynote: Tania Tetlow, J.D., President of Fordham University (Church of St. Paul)

Catholic Education and the LGBTQ Person

Saturday, June 17

10:00am: Morning Prayer, led by Bruce Rameker (Church of St. Paul)

11:00am to 12:30pm: Panels

Starting an LGBTQ Group in Your Parish (McNally Amphitheatre)
Frank DeBernardo
David Harvie
Christine Zuba
Bill Chapman (moderator)

Living a Life of Chastity (Pope Auditorium)
Dawn Eden Goldstein
Grant Hartley
Keith Wildenberg (moderator)

LGBTQ Catholics and the Life of Prayer (Costantino, Fordham Law)
Sam Albano
Megan Fox-Kelly
Rev. Donal Godfrey, S.J. (moderator)
Hilary Howes
Rev. James Martin, S.J.

12:30pm: Catered Lunch

2:00 to 3:30pm: Panels

The International Experience: LGBTQ Catholics Worldwide (Costantino)
Willy Bombeek
Don Andrea Conocchia
Marc Frings (moderator)
Don Cristóbal Rodríguez
Christopher Vella

LGBTQ Clergy and Religious (Pope Auditorium)
Ryan Di Corpo (moderator)
Sr. Jeannine Gramick, S.L.
Rev. Bryan Massingale
Rev. Gregory Greiten

3:30 to 4:00pm: Prayer, reflection, conversation

4:00 to 5:30pm: Panels

Catholic Art and the LGBTQ Experience (Costantino)
Br. Mickey McGrath, O.S.F.S.
Michael J. O’Loughlin (moderator)

Black, Catholic and LGBTQ (Pope Auditorium)
Craig Ford (moderator)
Rev. Bryan Massingale
Tevin V. Williams

Working with the Larger LGBTQ Community (McNally Amphitheatre)
Ross Murray (moderator)
Jean-Marie Navetta
Carl Siciliano
Michael Vazquez

6:00pm: Catered Dinner (G76 and Garden Lounge)

8:00pm: Keynote: Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA (Church of St. Paul)

Learning from Dignity: 50 Years of Ministry with LGBTQ Catholics

9:00pm: Wine and Cheese Hour (Sponsored by the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry)

Sunday, June 18

11:30am: Brunch (Sponsored by Clear Faith Publishing) (G76 and Garden Lounge)

2:00pm: Keynote: Juan Carlos Cruz, Member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (Church of St. Paul)

Pope Francis and LGBTQ People

3:30 to 4:30pm: Panels

Raising LGBTQ Catholic Children (Costantino)
Ivan Briggiler
Lisa Guthrie
Michele McMahon and Tim McMahon (moderator)
JoEllen Musselman

LGBTQ Ministry in High Schools (McMahon 109)
Colleen Campbell Karchunas
David Palmieri (moderator)
Mary-Kate Tracy-Robidoux
Ish Ruiz

5:00pm: Mass

Celebrant: Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe, N.M.
Homilist: James Martin, S.J.

6:00pm: Catered Dinner (G76 and Garden Lounge)

8:00pm: Evening Prayer with Bruce Rameker (Costantino)

Outreach 2023

LGBTQ Catholic Ministry ConferenceFordham Lincoln Center, June 16-18

Each summer, Outreach gathers LGBTQ lay people, clergy, scholars, artists, educators, students and family members to build community, share best practices and worship together.

Our 2023 conference was sponsored by:

Outreach 2023 in images

Conference schedule

Friday, June 16

Saturday, June 17

Sunday, June 18

LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference
Fordham Lincoln Center, June 16-18