The Church said it declined the invitation from Rainbow Action because "at this stage an open dialogue would be counter-productive," according to a statement printed in the Sunday Examiner, Hong Kong's Catholic newspaper.

The rejection comes after members of the LGBT activist group disrupted a public talk on homosexuality held at St. Jude’s Church, North Point, on Sunday, 13 March. Members of the group shouted slogans and distributed leaflets outside the parish.

Later, an invitation to the diocese for an open dialogue with Rainbow Action was issued by email and in a press release.

After rejecting the invitation, the Church’s statement goes on to say that the Diocese will be will be “studying and considering in depth” two recent reports issued in Hong Kong, namely: A Study on Discrimination Experienced by Sexual Minorities conducted by the University of Hong Kong and Study on Legislation against Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation, gender Identity (SOG) and Intersex Status conducted by Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The statement concludes by suggesting that LGBT activists keen for dialogue with the Catholic church need only to read Catholic social teaching:

“The Diocese invites the concern or action groups that advocate equal rights for sexual minorities to study Catholic social teaching, particularly with regard to human sexuality, marriage and the family. These teachings are readily accessible and can be said to be in “open dialogue” with all, especially those who search for what is true and good and what will advance the well-being of individuals and families, and of society as a whole.”