Comhráite: Fr. Bernárd Lynch in Conversation with James Or

About the show

After nearly 50 years of advocacy, it quickly becomes clear that Fr. Bernárd Lynch’s impact on LGBTQIA+ rights really is the sum of its parts.

Hailing from Ennis and ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in the early 1970s, Bernárd made his way to New York, where he founded the city’s first AIDS ministry as scores of young men lost their lives, and were ostracised for how they’d lived them.

His work became the catalyst for seismic victories and intense personal challenges, from the passing of the New York City Gay Rights Bill in 1986 to false allegations of sexual abuse orchestrated by the Catholic Church and government officials.
Since his exoneration in 1989, Bernárd has continued to trailblaze. He was the first priest of a mainline Church to march publicly in London Pride, and later led the first Irish LGBT+ participants in London’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Bernárd joins singer-songwriter James OR at the Irish Cultural Centre for an in-depth chat about his life, achievements, and the work still left to do.

The Irish Creative Collective is a grassroots organisation that curates networking, cultural and showcasing events for Irish creatives and artists living in London. Whether you’re Irish-born or connected by heritage, you’re invited to join our thriving community. Comhráite is just one component of our exciting 2025/26 plans, which you can learn more about on Instagram (@irishcreativecollective).