Quest Conference 2004
GLASGOW
‘Lesbian and Gay Spirituality’
A report
(first published in Quest Bulletin 40)
The journey to this year’s Quest Conference was, as usual, filled with memories of previous conferences, thoughts of meeting old friends and making new friendships. Passing through Gretna Green as we travelled North to Glasgow, the notion of attempting to ‘tie the knot’ there brought to mind many previous conference debates and discussions.
Shortly after our arrival, Fr Paul Trinder opened proceedings with an enthusiastic and moving preface to the ‘Welcome Liturgy’. The Annual General Meeting (AGM), which followed, highlighted amongst other things the need for members of Quest to come forward and ‘get involved’ with the actual running of the organisation, so that Quest might continue to support the needs of lesbian and gay Catholics on a variety of different fronts. Various other issues were considered, accompanied by the ‘click click’ of Peter’s knitting needles. The meeting kept to time and no matter discussed was traumatic enough for any stitches to be dropped! The quiz and bar facilities allowed for a relaxed conclusion to the first evening, although the bar quickly ran out of gas to power the pumps – was it possible to pipe some in from the AGM some wondered?
A full Scottish breakfast awaited us the following morning. The [text omitted] with the clergy present, or to go for walks in the lovely grounds of the conference centre, or to go into Glasgow City itself, and visit some of the many art galleries and museums.
We returned to the Conference centre in time for a session with Fr Laurence and Giovanni Felicioni, who introduced us to the practical side of meditation; bringing about stillness of body and spirit so that we might rise to our true self in Christ.
That evening, following the Chair’s Reception, we were piped to our places for the Gala Dinner. This was followed by several hours of dancing as the ceilidh band played into the night. During the more chaotic moments, some of us managed to twist and twirl our way through the door and into the bar for much-needed rest and more chat.
On the Sunday morning, Fr Paul developed the theme he began at Morning Prayer the previous day, and shared his thoughts on the components of love.
Fr Richard Finn then spoke to us about gay and lesbian spirituality, and how spiritual growth requires the essential component of self-knowledge, which in turn demands honesty with oneself (even if ‘The Church’ sometimes makes this difficult). Gratitude for God’s gifts to us and true friendship having origin in Christ’s grace were key themes to what was a thought provoking and very positive contribution to the conference proceedings.
For many present, the Closing Mass of the Conference proved to be an emotional event. Fr Paul drew together many of the themes discussed at the weekend, and then, as gay and lesbian people, we celebrated the Mass, in the firm belief that all love is precious to God. The next Quest conference starts on Friday 22 July 2005, in Liverpool, with the theme ‘Collaborative Ministry: our place as equals’. We will be there. Will you?
John and Paul,
Newcastle