James Martin presents his own controversial work with the heart of a priest. His narration, however, is a bit clinical and rigid. Though he does not take the stand of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) throughout history, he does make it clear that homosexuality is not condoned by the Church. It’s evident as he narrates that he loves all the image bearers of God and wants what he believes is best for them, but he also wants the RCC to reach out and be more accepting of the LGBT community. Despite his great care and concern for his neighbor, his work fails to satisfy either side of the discussion. Regardless, it is worth consideration. T.D. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

06/26/2017
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)

A welcome and much-needed book that will help bishops, priests, pastoral associates, and all church leaders, more compassionately minister to the LGBT community. It will also help LGBT Catholics feel more at home in what is, after all, their church.” — Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life

“Martin has written a wonderful book that challenges the institutional church to be in dialogue with the LGBT community. This has challenged a lot of people, because you don’t want to build a bridge if you already think you’re right. But this is where we have to go next.” — Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta

“Martin knows that by drawing close and entering into relationships, we learn mercy, equality of heart, and love of enemies. If we can be Christian in those things, then the scandal at the heart of the relationship between LGBT believers and our churches is on the way to being undone.” — James Alison, author of Faith Beyond Resentment

“The Gospel demands that LGBT Catholics be genuinely loved and treasured in the life of the Church. They are not. Martin provides us the language, perspective, and sense of urgency to undertake the arduous but monumentally Christlike task of replacing a culture of alienation with a culture of merciful inclusion.” — Robert McElroy, Bishop of San Diego

“Sexuality, gender, and religion—a volatile mix! With this book, Father Martin shows how the Rosary and the rainbow flag can peacefully meet each other. After this must-read book, you’ll understand why New Ways Ministry honored Father Martin with its Bridge-Building Award.” — Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL, co-founder of New Ways Ministry

“In too many parts of our church, LGBT people have been made to feel unwelcome, excluded, and even shamed. Martin’s inspiring new book invites church leaders to minister with more compassion and reminds LGBT Catholics that they are as much a part of our church as any other Catholic.” — Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark

“Martin discusses how . . . clergy and LGBT laity must genuinely befriend and become known to one another, in the assurance that the Holy Spirit sustains the effort.” — Booklist

 “If Martin’s book, with its biblical reflections on God’s loving creation of us and Jesus’ unconditional welcome, can help LGBT people and our families experience and trust God’s tenderness, he will have laid the foundation stone for social change and spiritual renewal.” — Washington Post

“A major bridge-builder is Father James Martin, S.J., whose new book displays guarded hope for change. . . . Father Martin frames these complex issues in larger contexts, stressing the values of respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” — Martin E. Marty, Sightings

“In this much anticipated new book, Father James Martin, SJ, seeks to end the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality that has long divided LGBT Catholics and the institutional Church.” — Crux

“The church may be on the cusp of another baby step in this ongoing discussion with the publication of this new book.” — Jonathan Merritt, Religion News Service

“Calls for small steps forward [and] on church leaders to show respect.” — New York Times

“Martin’s works have consistently sought to convey the riches of Catholic Christianity in both a style and a language that is as accessible as possible in a pluralist, post-Christian culture. And it is one of Martin’s great gifts that he does not sacrifice sophistication in aiming at accessibility.” — Commonweal

“It’s still rare to find anyone in the church hierarchy today—especially a Catholic priest—who will speak frankly and favorably about the queer Catholic experience. Father James Martin is that rare exception, making it his mission to affirm their right to belong in the church.” — Vice

“A brief, clear guide on how Catholics can heal some of the rifts surrounding issues of sexuality. . . . The surprising places he finds insight highlight the subtlety of his thought and the time he has devoted to considering these questions.” — Publishers Weekly

“A bold book, it talks clearly and openly about an issue that daunts and taunts our church, and, in its well-reasoned way, it takes the hysterics out of the discussion.” — America

“Once again Father Martin gets to the heart of the matter. Jesus prayed with deep passion that we might be one. This courageous work is necessary reading for all who wish to build up the Christian community and to give witness to the Gospel message of inclusion.” — John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe

“Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics have spent years on the margins of our community inviting such dialogue. This book cracks open a new door to opportunities to ask important questions about the inclusion of LGBT Catholics in the church, and those opportunities should be seized.” — National Catholic Reporter

“A welcome and much-needed book that will help bishops, priests, pastoral associates, and all church leaders, more compassionately minister to the LGBT community. It will also help LGBT Catholics feel more at home in what is, after all, their church.” — Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life

“Father Martin describes the ‘culture of encounter’ Pope Francis frequently espouses. With a heart sympathetic to the suffering that LGBT people of faith have experienced and a love for the Church, he shows how this encounter can be a fruitful and liberating journey for those on both sides.” — John Stowe, Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky

“James Martin had to know, even before he typed a single word of Building a Bridge, that no matter what he wrote, he was walking into a minefield of criticism. Which makes his courage — and his compassion — all the more powerful.” — Chicago Tribune

“Earned him the gratitude of parents of gay children or adults who feel unwelcome at church because of their sexual orientation.” — New York Times

“Urges a much-needed calm conversation among all Catholics and the LGBT community based on the gospel teaching of love and respect.  This book helps the whole Church engage the mandate of Jesus to minister to all.  I recommend it for parish, schools, and family discussions.” — Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston

“I affirm what Martin is doing...he has given his life for the service of the church. The Holy Father appointed him to a commission in Rome. I say to people: Make up your own decision, your own mind about him, by reading exactly what he wrote.” — Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

“[Building a Bridge] seems like an answer to prayer . . . well worth reading.” — Bishop Patrick Dunn, Auckland, New Zealand

“Building a Bridge has re-energized the debate about the LGBTQ faithful…. [Martin] provides a roadmap for repairing and strengthening the bonds that unite all of God’s children.” — Human Rights Council

“Martin’s gentle, gracious, and attractive book neither breaches nor defends any magisterial norms of Catholic social ethics. In fact, this is a book not about sexual ethics, but about ecclesiology and pastoral theology. The church is a pilgrim church, and its embrace should be inclusive.” — Lisa Sowle Cahill, Theological Studies

“No stranger to breaking the mold himself, James Martin’s call for Catholics to be more accepting and more compassionate toward the LGBTQ community has been met with both cheers and jeers and he lays it all out in his book, Building a Bridge.” — Amanpour on PBS

“Father James Martin is among the most vocal advocates in church leadership for compassionate dialogue between LGBT Catholics and the church. He published Building a Bridge to spark conversation between the two sides.” — US Catholic

“Father Martin wants to build bridges between the Catholic Church and the LGBT community. He is doing so from a biblical and faithful line of approach. His book is a valuable instrument both for pastors who are engaged with the LGBT community and their family and friends.” —  Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp

Sexuality, gender, and religion—a volatile mix! With this book, Father Martin shows how the Rosary and the rainbow flag can peacefully meet each other. After this must-read book, you’ll understand why New Ways Ministry honored Father Martin with its Bridge-Building Award.

Martin knows that by drawing close and entering into relationships, we learn mercy, equality of heart, and love of enemies. If we can be Christian in those things, then the scandal at the heart of the relationship between LGBT believers and our churches is on the way to being undone.

A major bridge-builder is Father James Martin, S.J., whose new book displays guarded hope for change. . . . Father Martin frames these complex issues in larger contexts, stressing the values of respect, compassion, and sensitivity.

Martin has written a wonderful book that challenges the institutional church to be in dialogue with the LGBT community. This has challenged a lot of people, because you don’t want to build a bridge if you already think you’re right. But this is where we have to go next.

Martin discusses how . . . clergy and LGBT laity must genuinely befriend and become known to one another, in the assurance that the Holy Spirit sustains the effort.

In this much anticipated new book, Father James Martin, SJ, seeks to end the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mentality that has long divided LGBT Catholics and the institutional Church.

In too many parts of our church, LGBT people have been made to feel unwelcome, excluded, and even shamed. Martin’s inspiring new book invites church leaders to minister with more compassion and reminds LGBT Catholics that they are as much a part of our church as any other Catholic.

A welcome and much-needed book that will help bishops, priests, pastoral associates, and all church leaders, more compassionately minister to the LGBT community. It will also help LGBT Catholics feel more at home in what is, after all, their church.

The Gospel demands that LGBT Catholics be genuinely loved and treasured in the life of the Church. They are not. Martin provides us the language, perspective, and sense of urgency to undertake the arduous but monumentally Christlike task of replacing a culture of alienation with a culture of merciful inclusion.

If Martin’s book, with its biblical reflections on God’s loving creation of us and Jesus’ unconditional welcome, can help LGBT people and our families experience and trust God’s tenderness, he will have laid the foundation stone for social change and spiritual renewal.

“[Building a Bridge] seems like an answer to prayer . . . well worth reading.

Father Martin describes the ‘culture of encounter’ Pope Francis frequently espouses. With a heart sympathetic to the suffering that LGBT people of faith have experienced and a love for the Church, he shows how this encounter can be a fruitful and liberating journey for those on both sides.

James Martin had to know, even before he typed a single word of Building a Bridge, that no matter what he wrote, he was walking into a minefield of criticism. Which makes his courage — and his compassion — all the more powerful.

Martin’s gentle, gracious, and attractive book neither breaches nor defends any magisterial norms of Catholic social ethics. In fact, this is a book not about sexual ethics, but about ecclesiology and pastoral theology. The church is a pilgrim church, and its embrace should be inclusive.

Building a Bridge has re-energized the debate about the LGBTQ faithful…. [Martin] provides a roadmap for repairing and strengthening the bonds that unite all of God’s children.

Father James Martin is among the most vocal advocates in church leadership for compassionate dialogue between LGBT Catholics and the church. He published Building a Bridge to spark conversation between the two sides.

Martin’s works have consistently sought to convey the riches of Catholic Christianity in both a style and a language that is as accessible as possible in a pluralist, post-Christian culture. And it is one of Martin’s great gifts that he does not sacrifice sophistication in aiming at accessibility.

Calls for small steps forward [and] on church leaders to show respect.

I affirm what Martin is doing...he has given his life for the service of the church. The Holy Father appointed him to a commission in Rome. I say to people: Make up your own decision, your own mind about him, by reading exactly what he wrote.

Father Martin wants to build bridges between the Catholic Church and the LGBT community. He is doing so from a biblical and faithful line of approach. His book is a valuable instrument both for pastors who are engaged with the LGBT community and their family and friends.

It’s still rare to find anyone in the church hierarchy today—especially a Catholic priest—who will speak frankly and favorably about the queer Catholic experience. Father James Martin is that rare exception, making it his mission to affirm their right to belong in the church.

Urges a much-needed calm conversation among all Catholics and the LGBT community based on the gospel teaching of love and respect.  This book helps the whole Church engage the mandate of Jesus to minister to all.  I recommend it for parish, schools, and family discussions.

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Catholics have spent years on the margins of our community inviting such dialogue. This book cracks open a new door to opportunities to ask important questions about the inclusion of LGBT Catholics in the church, and those opportunities should be seized.

The church may be on the cusp of another baby step in this ongoing discussion with the publication of this new book.

Once again Father Martin gets to the heart of the matter. Jesus prayed with deep passion that we might be one. This courageous work is necessary reading for all who wish to build up the Christian community and to give witness to the Gospel message of inclusion.

A bold book, it talks clearly and openly about an issue that daunts and taunts our church, and, in its well-reasoned way, it takes the hysterics out of the discussion.

No stranger to breaking the mold himself, James Martin’s call for Catholics to be more accepting and more compassionate toward the LGBTQ community has been met with both cheers and jeers and he lays it all out in his book, Building a Bridge.

 “If Martin’s book, with its biblical reflections on God’s loving creation of us and Jesus’ unconditional welcome, can help LGBT people and our families experience and trust God’s tenderness, he will have laid the foundation stone for social change and spiritual renewal.

Martin discusses how . . . clergy and LGBT laity must genuinely befriend and become known to one another, in the assurance that the Holy Spirit sustains the effort.

Father Martin wants to build bridges between the Catholic Church and the LGBT community. He is doing so from a biblical and faithful line of approach. His book is a valuable instrument both for pastors who are engaged with the LGBT community and their family and friends.

James Martin had to know, even before he typed a single word of Building a Bridge, that no matter what he wrote, he was walking into a minefield of criticism. Which makes his courage — and his compassion — all the more powerful.

A bold book, it talks clearly and openly about an issue that daunts and taunts our church, and, in its well-reasoned way, it takes the hysterics out of the discussion.

 “If Martin’s book, with its biblical reflections on God’s loving creation of us and Jesus’ unconditional welcome, can help LGBT people and our families experience and trust God’s tenderness, he will have laid the foundation stone for social change and spiritual renewal.

The Gospel demands that LGBT Catholics be genuinely loved and treasured in the life of the Church. They are not. Martin provides us the language, perspective, and sense of urgency to undertake the arduous but monumentally Christlike task of replacing a culture of alienation with a culture of merciful inclusion.

James Martin presents his own controversial work with the heart of a priest. His narration, however, is a bit clinical and rigid. Though he does not take the stand of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) throughout history, he does make it clear that homosexuality is not condoned by the Church. It’s evident as he narrates that he loves all the image bearers of God and wants what he believes is best for them, but he also wants the RCC to reach out and be more accepting of the LGBT community. Despite his great care and concern for his neighbor, his work fails to satisfy either side of the discussion. Regardless, it is worth consideration. T.D. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine