A recent decision by Pope Francis to meet American Catholic priest, Father James Martin, who is an outspoken advocate of LGBT Catholics to be embraced by the Church, is being viewed as a signal that Francis could well be considering changing the long-held position of the Church to condemn homosexuality.
The meeting between the Pope and author of the book “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and The LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity,” Father James Martin, comes a week after three prominent American bishops criticized Martin’s LGBT advocacy efforts.
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, who is among the critics, wrote, “This meeting with the Pope refutes the unjustified barrage of criticism he has received from a minority of church leaders and other anti-LGBT sectors of the church.”
DeBernardo further stated, “It recognizes that Fr. Martin’s approach to LGBTQ pastoral ministry, already praised by bishops, archbishops, and cardinals, has won the approval of the highest levels of the church.
It is a clear signal that Pope Francis is calling the church to conversion away from the negative messages it has sent in the past about LGBTQ people.
