Posted: Oct. 2, 2019
Pope Francis met privately this fall with Father James Martin, SJ, an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ ministry in the Catholic Church. The meeting was a clear and welcome papal reproach to the anti-LGBTQ criticism Martin has received from American bishops.
In September, notorious conservative Archbishop Charles Chaput condemned Martin's work in Philadelphia's diocesan newspaper. Chaput even wrote that Martin should never say "the Church welcomes gay people" without giving a list of conditions.
Jesus did not give conditions when he commanded us to love our neighbors -- but to make matters worse, bishops in Knoxville, TN, and Springfield, IL, piled on, calling Martin's pro-LGBTQ ministry full of "moral errors" and "deeply scandalous."
Not only is Martin's ministry supported by the Vatican, he's doing right by LGBTQ persons whom the church has long treated like outsiders. Each and every human being is created in the image of God, and James Martin needs to know that his work spreading that vital message is appreciated in spite of the bishops' attacks!
Sign the petition:
Love thy neighbor.