James Martin (Plymouth Meeting, USA, 1960) is a jesuit priesteditor-in-chief of the ‘America’ magazine and future participant in the synod of bishops which starts on October 4. He also combines his intense religious activity with writing books, some of which have appeared on ‘The New York Times’ best-seller list. It is precisely some of these works that have generated, within the clergy, so many enthusiastic endorsements as outright rejections. But that is the reason for its great popularity in the US and, increasingly, also in the world. The reason: his declared activism in favor of LGTBI community, whose voice he intends to be heard within the Catholic Church. Interviewing him is like witnessing the passage of a meteorite whose trajectory is still unknown.
He states that he wants to bring the voice of the LGTBI community to the synod. Do you think there is more interest within the Church in this community than is thought?
People who have participated in the working document [el texto que define los temas a abordar durante el sínodo] I have been told that half of the dioceses around the world have mentioned the need for greater reception and inclusion of LGTBI people. This is not limited to the West, but spreads throughout the world. However, it is not surprising either. As more people identify as LGBTI, more families, parishes and dioceses are affected. Therefore, there is a natural and growing interest in understanding how to provide pastoral care to the LGBTQ community.
“Half of the dioceses around the world believe that there should be greater inclusion of LGTBI people”
At the Synod, you may sit next to very conservative Catholics, some of them high-ranking and who reject your positions. Isn’t your goal an impossible mission?
My goal is to listen to the Holy Spirit and I think that should be everyone’s goal.
Are tensions expected to arise during the meeting?
That is probably inevitable, but we should not fear tensions. The first synod in Church history was the Council of Jerusalem, which took place around 50 AD. There was a lot of tension at that time, but the Holy Spirit was still able to act.
Instead, what openings do you see possible?
To be honest, I really don’t know what to expect. I think that in this first meeting [la siguiente será el próximo año] We will focus on how to dialogue with each other and listen to each other.
“It is impossible to determine how many priests are gay because of the stigma that still exists on this issue”
Some say that homosexuality is omnipresent in the Church, from the seminaries to the top of the Vatican. Is that so?
There are undoubtedly many chaste and celibate gay priests in the Church. It is important that it be said. However, I insist, it is crucial to note that these priests lead chaste and celibate lives, like their heterosexual colleagues, and dedicate their lives to service in the Church. This has probably always been the case. As for how many priests are gay, it is impossible to determine due to the stigma that still exists around this topic. Many have suffered in silence because of mockery, even while serving in the Church. These priests have celebrated masses, baptized children, celebrated marriages, visited the sick in the hospital, and buried loved ones.
“It is disconcerting that, in the US, the same people who previously said that you should never criticize a Pope, now do so daily with Francis”
Some of the most conservative positions in the Church come from the American clergy. Because?
That is a good question. Perhaps it is because many people admired Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, as is also the case with me. Now, however, Pope Francis has taken a different approach. Fundamentally speaking, there has been no change, but some people may be confused. What I find truly disconcerting is that in the United States, some of the same people who argued that a Pope should never be criticized during the pontificates of John Paul II and Benedict, now do so daily under Francis.
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How do you see the dispute between the German and American Churches?
I don’t see it as a struggle. Both Churches are responding to what they see as the needs of their people. It is true that some German Church leaders may have a more progressive approach in some respects, but fundamentally there is no difference. After all, we all recite the same Creed on Sundays.