Building a Bridge
How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity
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“A treasure...a
wise and entertaining book that should appeal to the spiritual pilgrim in all
of us, no matter what the faith and no matter whether believer or nonbeliever.”
– Chicago
Tribune
The New York
Times bestselling author of The
Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Jesus: A
Pilgrimage turns his attention to the
relationship between LGBT Catholics and the Church in this loving, inclusive,
and revolutionary book.
A powerful call for tolerance,
acceptance, and support—and a reminder of Jesus' message for us to love one
another. In this moving and inspiring book, Martin offers a powerful, loving,
and much-needed voice in a time marked by anger, prejudice, and divisiveness.
On the day after the Orlando
nightclub shooting, James Martin S.J. posted a video on Facebook in which
he called for solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters. "The largest
mass shooting in US history took place at a gay club and the LGBT community has
been profoundly affected," he began. He then implored his fellow Catholics—and
people everywhere—to "stand not only with the people of Orlando but also
with their LGBT brothers and sisters." Father Martin's post went viral and
was viewed more than 1.6 million times.
Adapted from an address he
gave to New Ways Ministry, a group that ministers to and advocates for LGBT
Catholics, Building a Bridge provides a roadmap for
repairing and strengthening the bonds that unite all of us as God's children.
Martin uses the image of a two-way bridge to enable LGBT Catholics
and the Church to come together in a call to end the "us" versus
"them" mentality. Turning to the Catechism, he draws on the three
criteria at the heart of the Christian ministry—"respect, compassion, and
sensitivity"—as a model for how the Catholic Church should relate to the LGBT
community.
WINNER OF THE LIVING NOW
BOOK AWARD IN SOCIAL ACTIVISM/CHARITY.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
