Brazil’s LGBT Catholics elect network leaders and launch a book on faith

The fifth national meeting of LGBT Catholics took place from 30 October to 2 November 2026 at the Jesuit cultural centre in Brasília, Brazil’s capital. Participants launched a book on their experiences of church life and elected the leadership of the National Network of LGBT Catholic Groups for 2026–2029.

The network reported on 6 November that the election took place at the plenary session on 1 November. Andrea Moller of Núcleo Santa Clara was elected national secretary, and Jeferson Batista of Diversidade Católica Campinas became executive secretary. Participants also elected regional representatives and leads for pastoral communications and advisory work.

The book A Igreja é de todos, todos, todos (“The Church belongs to everyone, everyone, everyone”) was launched on 31 October. The National Council of the Laity of Brazil says it brings together 35 chapters on faith and LGBT participation in church life. It includes personal accounts, material on pastoral work and academic essays. The Catholic University of Pernambuco lists Batista as one of the volume’s four editors.

In their closing letter, participants called for LGBT Catholics to take part in church decision-making. The network has brought together lay groups since 2014 and has been a member of the National Council of the Laity of Brazil since 2022. Arnaldo Carvalheiro Neto, the bishop of Jundiaí and the Brazilian bishops’ conference’s liaison to the network, described the book as a contribution to mutual respect in the Church. His endorsement appears on the cover.

Uránia previously covered a Vatican synodal report featuring personal accounts from LGBT Catholics.