Olomouc Archdiocese Cancels LGBT+ Pilgrimage After Wave of Online Hatred

The Archdiocese of Olomouc has cancelled a pilgrimage for LGBT+ believers, their families and friends that had been planned for mid-September. According to organisers writing on the archdiocese's website, the decision was prompted by a wave of hostile and openly hateful reactions online, which made it impossible to guarantee participants' safety.

This would have been the second edition of "Pilgrimage Halfway There" — an event for believers with a minority sexual orientation. "The reason was a sharply worsening atmosphere and a wave of negative, at times outright hateful, reactions online, which meant the safety of participants could not be guaranteed," the organisers said. Archdiocese spokesman Jiří Gračka told one Czech outlet: "This is not a concession to pressure, but an effort to avoid a dangerous situation."

Smaller gatherings will continue

For more than two years now, a pastoral outreach programme for LGBT+ people has operated under the patronage of Olomouc Archbishop Josef Nuzík. According to the archdiocese, cancelling the public event does not mean abandoning this work — regular meetings will continue.

"Testimonies from participants themselves confirm that what matters most to them is precisely this intimate format — personal conversations and discussions on spiritual topics, prayer, and fellowship in a safe environment. This is the path Olomouc's pastoral work with believers of minority orientation will continue to follow," the organisers stressed.

They also recalled Archbishop Nuzík's words that the Church cannot close its eyes or its doors to anyone seeking God. "Pastoral care for believers of minority orientation does not change Church doctrine, but embodies the core message of the Gospel — to accept every person without exception, to pay attention to them, and to take an interest in their personal story," Nuzík said.

Berlin attack heightens concerns

In late July, in Berlin, an attacker drove a car into a crowd during an event supporting LGBT+ rights, killing one person and injuring around thirty others. Partly in response to that incident, Czech police stepped up security measures during the recent march by tens of thousands of people through central Prague as part of the traditional Prague Pride festival, held in support of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz