Outreach Ministry Publishes Revised Confiteor Prayer for LGBTQ Catholics

Outreach, an LGBTQ ministry founded by Jesuit priest Father James Martin, recently published an essay featuring a revised version of the Catholic Confiteor prayer. Written by chaplain Ariell Watson Simon, the piece explores her personal experiences navigating her sexuality within the Roman Catholic Church. Simon argues that traditional emphasis on sexual morality can distract from broader social concerns, suggesting that believers should instead focus on issues such as racism, xenophobia, and transphobia.

In her essay, Simon proposes a gender-neutral adaptation of the traditional penitential rite, which she describes as a tool for healing and growth. The original Confiteor involves a confession of sin before God and the community, traditionally accompanied by the invocation of the Virgin Mary and the saints. Simon’s version replaces these elements with references to "queer saints" and emphasizes the rejection of prejudiced thoughts and biased judgments. The publication has drawn attention for its departure from standard liturgical language and its focus on integrating LGBTQ identity into Catholic prayer life.