German Bishops Support Martin

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BONN, Germany (ChurchMilitant.com) - A well-known Jesuit and LGBTQ cheerleader is opening up to the media mouthpiece for the German Bishops' Conference.

On Tuesday, Katholisch.de published an interview with Jesuit sodomy apologist James Martin titled "Martin: Francis more committed to LGBTQ people than any predecessor."

The interview began with Martin explaining why, in 2016, he decided to focus on LGBTQ activism. He recalled a shooting the same year at a nightclub called Pulse in Orlando, Florida — an attack that claimed the lives of 49 people.

Martin said he had been disappointed by the American bishops' "timid and small" response to the incident.

He also claimed to have been further disappointed by the few bishops who responded since "only two or three even mentioned the terms LGBTQ or gay."

"Even in death, this communion is largely invisible to the Church," added the Jesuit.

At the time, the Jesuit published on Facebook a video that led to an invitation to lecture on the topic. That eventually led him to write his pro-LGBT book, Building a Bridge. That title then became the title of a documentary on James Martin from executive producer Martin Scorsese.

Martin claimed he never thought the book would be a big deal.

"It is just a small book in which I do not in any way question the teaching of the Church," he stated. "But the reactions were very intense: positive as well as negative. This then led to me doing pastoral work for the LGBTQ community. I'm sure God called me right there."

Handling Controversy

Martin posited he finds himself in a strange situation — with supporters and critics on both sides.

"I don't really like being the center of attention and creating controversy," he contended. "In this case, however, this seems to be unavoidable. It triggers such strong emotions on both sides."

The pro-LGBTQ Jesuit thinks those who disagree with him — for example, Facebook groups calling for the conversion of James Martin back to the One True Faith — simply never read his book or don't really want to listen to what he is actually saying.

"It's not about doctrinal change for me, I just want to give these people a hand and listen to them," he alleged. "But even that is too much for some. Even listening to gay people in church is worth a ban on them."

Martin referenced a recent criticism in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Cardinal Gerhard Müller referred to the blessing of homosexual couples — something Germany's Synodal Way recently decided not to discipline — constituted "blasphemy." In that interview, the cardinal briefly mentioned Martin for touting Pope Francis' approval of the Jesuit's LGBTQ activism, suggesting the pope should tell Martin, "You must not instrumentalize me."

In the interview with Katholish.de, Martin reacted to the cardinal's brief suggestion with ostensible confusion and deference to the hierarchy.

"I have no idea how to react to something like that," stated the Jesuit. "As a simple priest, I can't contradict a cardinal, that wouldn't be right for a Jesuit. So I'm powerless here in a sense."

The Simple Priest & the Pontiff

On Sept. 30, 2019, Pope Francis invited Martin to a private audience in the Vatican's apostolic palace. Regarding that encounter, the simple priest stated, "I was surprised that the Pope even wanted to talk to me."

"I may have to reiterate: I'm just a humble Jesuit who writes books and works as an editor for America Magazine," stated Martin.

"I am neither cardinal nor archbishop nor bishop. Nor am I a provincial or university president," he added. "It was a shock that the Pope spoke to me at all."

Nevertheless, Martin was delighted by the private audience.

"This meeting brought me a great deal of consolation," he revealed.

Martin explained the pope wanted to make the encounter unmistakably public.

"I feel a great deal of gratitude, not only for his personal encouragement, but also for the signal that this sends out to the LGBTQ community," Martin divulged. "He's genuinely concerned about the issue, as any good pastor would be."

Martin went on to discuss another meeting with the pope in November — an encounter also deliberately made public — and letters the pontiff wrote to him and other people.

"He wrote about the closeness and love of God for our website," Martin explained, referring to the Jesuits' site called Outreach: An LGBTQ Catholic Resource. "You don't have to read between the lines to see what he thinks," he emphasized.

The simple pro-LGBTQ priest wrapped up the interview with some thoughts on Germany's Synodal Way.

"The Germans make an offer to the universal church," he reasoned. "I hope that the World Synod will listen."

Martin emphasized he is only offering his opinion and is not an expert on the Synodal Way.

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