Priest Helps SHU ‘Build a Bridge’ to LGBTQ+ Catholics

Annual speaker spreads a message of faith and acceptance

Renowned Jesuit priest Father Jim Martin returned to Sacred Heart University recently to present “Building a Bridge: Outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics.” His talk was part of a two-day conference titled “Young Adults in the 21st Century: A Conversation on Faith, Religion & Culture.”

An annual speaker at SHU, Martin is editor-at-large for America magazine and a New York Times best-selling author. Pope Francis appointed him as a consultant to the Vatican’s communication division in 2017 because of his outreach with LGBTQ+ Catholics. He also received an honorary degree from the University in 2010.

The conference took place virtually, with speakers hosting their own Zoom sessions. The talk was moderated by Professor Jill Plummer in Catholic studies.

“It is so important to have these conversations about how to become a more inclusive Catholic community at a time when many―though not all―Catholic institutions are participating in the marginalization of LGBTQIA+ persons,” said Plummer. “Jim Martin reminds us that Jesus’ ministry, as depicted in the Gospels, calls on Catholics to be better allies.”

Martin began his presentation by elaborating on the development of his first piece as a published author, Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter Into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity. The book came about after Martin saw events like the Pulse nightclub shooting get little reaction from the Catholic church.

Writing about such issues when “not many people were doing that in the church,” said Martin, gave him a unique perspective from which to share his teachings. From this, Martin’s book was created.

Martin shared several stories of respect, compassion and sensitivity to demonstrate common themes within religious text that can be used as allegories for marginalization against LGBTQ+ individuals.  

His presentation concluded after a lengthy question-and-answer session with the audience that covered controversies within sacred scriptures, unity within the church, regaining trust and the double standards of sin.

Fr. Jim Martin at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit in 2019