A US Jesuit priest has revealed more about visits he made this week with Pope Francis and other Vatican officials in Rome, Italy.
On Monday it was reported by several news agencies that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, had met with New York City-based Jesuit priest Father James Martin.
Father Martin is well-known for his views on welcoming gay people to the Church. The cleric is seen as a liberal voice in the higher echelons of Catholicism.
In 2017, he published a book: Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the L.G.B.T. Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity.
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He serves as a consultant to the Vatican’s Secretariat for Communications.
On Monday, the Vatican listed the private audience the Pope had with Fr. Martin. As it only publicly acknowledges a few of the Pope’s private meetings, this was seen by some as a tacit sign of approval for Martin and a wish to publicize the meeting.
Related: Vatican uses ‘LGBT’ for first time in report on why youth are fleeing the church
Martin’s views have upset more conservative voices in the Catholic Church. Several talks he has previously been booked to give in the US have been canceled.
Last year, almost 10,000 people signed a petition demanding Fr. Martin was dropped from speaking at a panel at the Catholic Church’s World Meeting of Families in Ireland. The petition failed and his appearance went ahead.
On Monday, Father Martin took to Twitter to reveal more of the 30-minute meeting with Pope Francis.
He called the private meeting, “One of the highlights of my life. I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by the Holy Father today. And his time with me, in the middle of a busy day and a busy life, seems a clear sign of his deep pastoral care for LGBT Catholics and LGBT people worldwide.”
One of the highlights of my life. I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by the Holy Father today. And his time with me, in the middle of a busy day and a busy life, seems a clear sign of his deep pastoral care for LGBT Catholics and LGBT people worldwide. (Foto@VaticanMedia). pic.twitter.com/1BeaiVh0Q4
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) September 30, 2019
In an interview with the press afterward, Martin said, “I felt encouraged, consoled and inspired by our meeting … It was like talking to the most compassionate parish priest you can imagine.”
Martin was in Rome for the plenary meeting of the Vatican’s communications department.
Following his meeting with the Pope, Fr. Martin has revealed he also met with other Vatican officials to talk about welcoming LGBTQ people to the church.
Dear friends: I am happy to say, with their permission, that I met with Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, the prefect of the Congregation for Education, and Fr. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary, for a dialogue about the Congregation's document "Male and Female He Created Them" …
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 1, 2019
“Dear friends: I am happy to say, with their permission, that I met with Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, the prefect of the Congregation for Education, and Fr. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary, for a dialogue about the Congregation’s document “Male and Female He Created Them” …” he posted.
This controversial document, issued by the Vatican in June, questions gender theory. It rejects the idea that transgender people can be any gender besides what they are assigned at birth. It claims modern concepts around gender destabilize the family and society.
Related: Vatican declares trans people will ‘annihilate the concept of nature’
“During our meeting I read aloud letters from a Sister who ministers to transgender individuals, from a family with LGBT children, and a transgender person himself,” says Martin. “Again, with their permission, I can share that they spoke about the context and purpose of their document, which was focused on Catholic schools.
“His Eminence expressed sorrow if people thought the Congregation was accusing people of being ideologically distorted, and they wish to share their care for transgender people and want to continue dialogue to reflect on their experiences.
“As I said, they gave me permission to share this with you, but the rest of the meeting will be kept private. I was happy to bring LGBT voices to this warm meeting and very grateful for their openness to dialogue.”
Martin tweeted again last night about sharing the stories of LGBTQ lives with Vatican officials, saying he will continue to do so until his trips ends this weekend.
“Dear friends: Thanks for all your prayers over these last few days of meetings, which I had asked for when I left. So far I’ve shared the stories of #LGBT people with the Pope and Vatican officials and have tried to build bridges. I’ll continue to do so in Rome until I return!”
Dear friends: Thanks for all your prayers over these last few days of meetings, which I had asked for when I left. So far I've shared the stories of #LGBT people with the Pope and Vatican officials and have tried to build bridges. I'll continue to do so in Rome until I return! pic.twitter.com/wm2ssrWBUn
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 1, 2019
JaredMacBride
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rand503
If the Catholic Church reverses itself and welcomes LBGTs, that will create another schism. Conservatives, which are the majority of the priests and bishops, will revolt over this and try to break away. They would rather destroy the church than admit gays.
Kieran
By meeting with Fr James Martin, the Pope is sending a clear signal to his bishops and clergy that he wants the Church to be more welcoming of Gay Catholics. The Church can and does “evolve” over time. It took a few centuries, but the Church did finally apologize for how they treated Gallileo.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I think Francis would like to reach out to the Gays. But the arch conservative wing which is a majority get their panties all bunched up every time he makes a move towards acceptance…
lord.krath
My grandfather is an active member of the church. So much do that he has not only met the Pope, he has been awarded special titles. He and I chat about the current pope and he says that Francis wants to leave as big of a legacy and mark as John Paul II. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean he has to think big. As many have already pointed out, conservatives in the church reject these aspirations and loath the very liberal tone this Pope has set. It is curious since Francis was well known for his Jesuit ways. Also curious since he was elected to this post by the conclave. I wonder precisely how it is that they might be surprised. Or if there is already a much bigger schism present than we are aware. I appreciate Francis for the work he has done. An inclusive church is in its best interest. But only time will tell. Hate is a much stronger emotion to evoke than love.