The Archdiocese of Denver led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila has faced criticism due to his supposed leading role when it comes to the negativity toward the LGBTQ+ community.

Despite this, Colorado Time Recorder stated that Catholic allies have come in his defense.

Events That Due Negative Reactions

On sex education in Colorado schools, Aquila drew on harsh language against LGBTQ+ people.

In a 2019 open letter urging Catholics to oppose a sex education bill allowing discussion of LGBTQ issues, he wrote that God made male and female in his image and likeness.

He then stated that the comprehensive curriculum route that most schools adopt teaches innocent children this is not true.

The Archdiocese even went so far as to launch a campaign at nearby Catholic parishes with the intention of "curing" LGBTQ individuals by converting them into heterosexuals.

The conversion-therapy program aims to accomplish this through reparative and developmental psychology, small group meetings, and prayer, a model developed by author Andrew Camiskey.

According to the Colorado Times Recorder, many organizations led by medical practitioners reject such conversion-therapy programs.

Several local governments, including Denver, as well as fifteen states and the District of 

Columbia, have also outlawed the practice for minors.

Nevertheless, Comiskey's program, which does not appear to be specifically targeted at minors, will succeed within their parishes, within their communities, according to Aquila.

This is as long as parishioners who want to lead this and desire to lead it do so.

Also, in 2018, there was a tweet of an article with the heading "Active Homosexuality in the Priesthood Helped Cause This Crisis," (the crisis referring to pedophilia).

The tweet has not been taken down, and the archbishop has not commented on it beyond once stating via a spokeswoman that not all LGBTQ individuals are pedophiles.

In 2019, the spokeswoman for Aquila generally backed up the tweet but left open the idea that it wasn't for all LGBTQ people.

He's not implying they are the same.

Moreover, insisting that the spread of gender ideology presents a danger to Christianity, the Archdiocese recently gave instructions to Catholic schools not to admit or re-admit transgender or gender non-conforming students.

They also instructed the schools to treat gay parents differently than heterosexual parents.

Catholic Allies Come in Aquila’s Defense

Contrary to the majority of Catholics who accept homosexuality, Aquila and his Catholic allies insist they do not genuinely dislike LGBTQ persons.

They claimed that they feel compassion for them.

They also claimed that despite how cruel it seems; Aquila's rhetoric is motivated by the religious conviction that being homosexual is immoral according to the Bible rather than a true hatred.

Aquila’s spokeswoman, Kelly Clark, also commented that she does not find the bishop’s statements to be negative nor an attack towards the LGBTQ+.

Clark stated that the archbishop's remarks are based on the doctrine and natural law that the family, which consists of a husband, and wife is the fundamental unit of a healthy society.

Although views on sexuality differ from the accepted societal standards, this in no way implied that they are intolerant or malicious.

She stated that their doors are still open to anybody who wants to learn more about the religion, develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, or is just inquisitive.

Clark said that the Church attempts to take great care in treating individuals from all walks of life with compassion because of their deep regard for human life.

That said, it is unfounded to claim that the Church's compassionate stance breeds violence.
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