Mexican Bishop States at LGBTQ Conference That Homosexuality Is Not a Sin

The fourth national meeting of Red Católica Arcoíris México (Catholic Rainbow Network Mexico), uniting LGBTQ believers, was held in the Mexican city of Torreón. At the event, which gathered about 100 people, Raúl Vera López, former bishop of Saltillo, stated that homosexuality is not a sin, and without the participation of LGBTQ people, the Church cannot be considered complete.

The conference took place from July 30 to August 2, 2026. During the opening Mass at the Torreón Cathedral, presided over by local Bishop Luis Martín Barraza Beltrán, Vera López addressed the attendees with a homily. According to a report by Vanguardia , he emphasized that homosexuality is “neither an illness nor a perversion, but an inherent condition of human nature that must be understood and respected.”

According to the prelate, the Church is obliged to welcome LGBTQ people and guarantee them full participation in community life. He noted that believers of diverse sexual orientations have the right not only to actively participate in parish life but also to take on the responsibilities of religious leaders. The bishop added that the acceptance of the LGBTQ community is a moral and spiritual responsibility of Catholics, not an act of condescension.

On the second day of the conference, Bishop Jorge Estrada of the Diocese of Gómez Palacio presided over a Mass for the participants in his cathedral.

After Vera López’s words drew criticism from conservative commentators, the bishop published a response on his Facebook page. He thanked his supporters and reaffirmed his position. The clergyman stated that those who condemn people for their sexual orientation need a renewal in their understanding of the Gospel, and concluded his message with the words: “Without you, the Church is incomplete. You are our family; do not leave us alone on this journey with the Lord Jesus.”