Malachy of Armagh: Same-sex soulmate to Bernard of Clairvaux

Malachy of Armagh is an 11th-century Irish saint who died in the arms of his more famous soulmate, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Their monastic community honored the male couple as “two stars of such surpassing brightness” and a “twofold treasure.” Bernard showered Malachy with kisses during his lifetime and they are buried together, wearing each other’s clothes. Malachy’s feast day is Nov. 3.

Best-known traditional Christian saints and Biblical figures

Aelred: Gay saint of friendship

Brigid and Darlughdach: Celtic saint loved her female soulmate

David and Jonathan: Love between men in the Bible

Francis of Assisi: Queer side revealed for saint who loved creation, peace and the poor

Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis: Medieval mystic and the woman she loved

Joan of Arc: Cross-dressing warrior-saint and LGBTQ role model

John the Evangelist: Beloved Disciple of Jesus

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Nun who loved a countess in 17th-century Mexico City

Julian of Norwich: Celebrating Mother Jesus

John Henry Newman and Ambrose St. John: Gay saint and his “earthly light” share romantic friendship

Paul the Apostle: Did his homosexuality shape Christianity?

Perpetua and Felicity: Patron saints of same-sex couples

Saint Sebastian: History’s first gay icon

Sergius and Bacchus: Paired male saints loved each other in ancient Roman army

PAT SAYS

The Catholic Church in its history has been much more accepting of same sex love than you would imagine – given the hullabaloo in recent days over the homily of the Kerry priest, Sean Sheehy.

Same sex relationships were common in ancient time both in Greece and Rome.

In the history of the Church, at various times, same sex blessings existed

It seems to me that the Christian churches have a lot of rethinking to do on this topic.

UKRAINIAN REFUGEES

Early in the year I let readers know that I had registered as a person willing to sponsor Ukranian refugees in my home.

Many more were making their way to the Republic of Ireland as the government there was issuing visas for refugees much more quickly than in the UK / N. Ireland.

After a long wait, this week, I have been asked to sponsor a specific and identified Ukranian family and I have agreed.

We are now going through the important preliminary steps and hopefully soon the sponsorship will be in place.