The National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) has appointed Dom Arnaldo Carvalheiro Neto as national representative to monitor LGBTQIAPN+ Catholic groups.
The appointment, which took place on October 17 and is valid until 2028, formalizes a channel of dialogue between the CNBB and the National Network of LGBT Catholic Groups, which has been operating for more than 15 years in different regions of the country.
The 58-year-old Bishop of Jundiai becomes a reference point for pastoral support for these groups located in different regions of Brazil.
He explains that the new service meets the request of the National Network of LGBT Catholic Groups, which seeks to find an institutional channel capable of ensuring communion, guidance and integration with the dioceses. According to Dom Arnaldo, any group can ask for support to share needs, ask for support or establish a dialogue with the local church.
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Graduated in philosophy and theology at institutions in São Paulo, the bishop also has specializations in spiritual direction and religious service in hospitals, which are carried out in the United States and Ireland. He was ordained a priest in 1997 and a bishop in 2016, and served in several dioceses within the state before taking over the Diocese of Jundiai.
What will the work be like?
The nomination came from the Bahraini National Council itself, after extrapolation from the presidency and the relevant committees. This role does not replace the authority of diocesan bishops, but seeks to support communication between them and Catholic LGBTQIAPN+ groups. The goal is to promote a pastoral path that combines participation in liturgical life, charity and community integration.
The LGBTQIAPN+ pastoral activities in Jundiai, established in 2021, help illustrate the kind of work that needs to be expanded nationally. Weekly meetings include moments of prayer, listening, and doctrinal formation, as well as studies of teaching documents and reflections on the challenges each group faces.