Building a Bridge

June 26, 2017
Jesuit priest Martin responds to the 2016 massacre in the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., with this brief, clear guide on how Catholics can heal some of the rifts surrounding issues of sexuality. He explains how both Catholic leadership and LGBTQ laity can apply principles of respect, compassion, and sensitivity to the thorny issue. Central to his argument is a gentle reminder to see opponents as fallible humans with good intentions. Rather than argue for a specific theology of sexuality, Martin urges a greater openness from those on both sides to listening, showing care, and genuinely seeking to understand each other. After these suggestions, he turns to brief biblical passages to explore how the ministry of Jesus, the Psalms, and other verses might offer insight into current debates. Each passage is paired with questions for reflection aimed at both LGBTQ believers and those seeking to understand their situation. The surprising places he finds insight highlight the subtlety of his thought and the time he has devoted to considering these questions. Although specifically Catholic, this approachable resource will resonate with many Christians looking for help with providing pastoral care to sexual minorities or living as an LGBTQ Christian.

June 1, 2017
Editor at large of America and frequent guest on The Colbert Report, Martin was honored by the advocacy group, New Ways Ministry, for fostering good relations between the church and LGBT Catholics. The talk he gave upon receiving the group's Building Bridges Award is the main text here, A Two-Way Bridge. That connection must be used by those on both ends of it, Martin says, as they are guided by respect, compassion, and sensitivityprecisely the qualities specified by the Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated by John Paul II in 1992. Martin discusses how such intercommunication may be done, first by the church and then by LGBT Catholics. The overall idea is that clergy and LGBT laity must genuinely befriend and become known to one another, in the assurance that the Holy Spirit sustains the effort. Appended to the talk are biblical passages Martin refers to, along with questions to aid reflection and meditation on them. Like so much popular counsel seemingly narrowcast to Catholics, Martin's also speaks to plenty of Protestants engaged in church-LGBT dialogue.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)