On 21 May, Cardinal Joseph Tobin personally welcomed LGBTI people to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey as part of what he called the ‘LGBT Pilgrimage.’

A collaboration with a gay parish ministry group, this welcoming of LGBTI people in a Catholic setting is historic. In the past, marchers at the New York Pride parade were barredfrom entering St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue.

Cardinal Tobin, appointed by Pope Francis, worked with Redemptorist Father Francis Gargan to host this event. Featuring mass, a tour of the Cathedral, and an optional dinner, Tobin was happy to welcome any LGBTI person who chose to attend. Though it’s unclear how many people attended, photos of the event show a moderate turnout. Read more via Gay Star News