Fr James Martin: The Real Scandal

If you’re looking for a Catholic priest who inspires people—and makes them laugh and think—James Martin, SJ, is your guy. At the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s annual conference, he’s greeted like a rock star by swarms of young Catholics who devour his books and remember him as Stephen Colbert’s “chaplain” on the Colbert Report. To say this is unusual is an understatement. Millennials are leaving the church in droves, turned off in part by an institution that has made opposition to same-sex marriage central to Catholic identity in the public square.

This generation of Catholics remains inspired by the church’s rich social justice tradition, has no patience for the culture wars, and is disgusted that their religious leaders are often perceived to be fighting against the human rights of gay people. When I heard the news last Friday that the seminary at Catholic University of America canceled a scheduled talk from Martin because a network of Catholic right attack dogs launched an ugly campaign against him, I cringed. The already-thin thread barely connecting these young Catholics to the institutional church just got thinner. Self-inflicted wounds are hard to heal.

Source: The Real Scandal | Commonweal Magazine

Cardinal Sarah offers critique of L.G.B.T. book, Father James Martin responds | America Magazine

Cardinal Robert Sarah, a frequent defender of Catholicism’s teaching on human sexuality, rejected arguments presented in a book by a popular Jesuit writer that the church must be more respectful toward gay and lesbian Catholics. Instead, he said, Catholics have a duty to remind gays and lesbians that homosexual acts are sinful.

In comments to America, Father Martin called Cardinal Sarah’s column “a step forward,” noting that the cardinal used the term “‘L.G.B.T.,’ which a few traditionalist Catholics reject.” (Part of Father Martin’s book urges church leaders to use the more colloquial phrase “gay and lesbian” rather than antiquated phrases preferred by some Catholics, such as “persons with same-sex attraction.”)

But, Father Martin said, the essay “misses a few important points,” including a failure to acknowledge “the immense suffering that L.G.B.T. Catholics have felt at the hands of their church.”

Source: Cardinal Sarah offers critique of L.G.B.T. book, Father James Martin responds | America Magazine

Building bridges with LGBT Catholics – SCO News

IAN DUNN speaks to Fr James Martin about his controversial book attracting both praise and criticismFr James Martin is one of the most famous priests in America. His TV appearances and books have won him a devoted following around the world and led to him being made a communications consultant to the Vatican.He is now using his formidable skills as he sets about ‘Building a Bridge,’ as his new book has it, to gay Catholics. The book has received advanced praise from high-ranking cardinals and bishops, both in the United States and in Rome.Although it has been controversial in some quarters, the book has been praised by senior members of Church including Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, who said it is a ‘welcome and much-needed book that will help bishops, priests, pastoral associates, and all Church leaders, more compassionately minister to the LGBT community.”

IAN DUNN speaks to Fr James Martin about his controversial book attracting both praise and criticism

Fr James Martin is one of the most famous priests in America. His TV appearances and books have won him a devoted following around the world and led to him being made a communications consultant to the Vatican.

He is now using his formidable skills as he sets about ‘Building a Bridge,’ as his new book has it, to gay Catholics. The book has received advanced praise from high-ranking cardinals and bishops, both in the United States and in Rome.

Although it has been controversial in some quarters, the book has been praised by senior members of Church including Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, who said it is a ‘welcome and much-needed book that will help bishops, priests, pastoral associates, and all Church leaders, more compassionately minister to the LGBT community.”

Read more:  Scottish Catholic Observer

Priest Asks Church About ‘What Happens Next’ After LGBT People Are Welcomed? – Bondings 2.0

With an increased welcome for LGBT people in the Catholic Church, one priest is asking what comes next after hospitality is shown and doors are opened?

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Fr. Alexander Santora

Fr. Alexander Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph parish in Hoboken, New Jersey, cited as good news both Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s welcomeof LGBT pilgrims to the Newark Cathedral and Fr. James Martin, SJ’s new book on LGBT issues. But, in a piece for NorthJersey.com, he raised new questions about “what happens next?”:

“How will the LGBT community come back to a church that has no positive theology on homosexuality and no consensus on how to even begin to fashion one? Even if preachers and priests refrain from repeating the tired shibboleths against gay men and lesbians, what will they hear in church? Where do they find comfort in the Scriptures proclaimed from the pulpit? And how will the local parish minister to them?”

Source:  – Bondings 2.0