Watch: Father James Martin on LGBTQ people and his optimistic view of the Synod process

In July, Pope Francis personally appointed Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., to the Synod on Synodality, a two-part worldwide gathering in Rome attended by more than 360 prelates, clergy members and lay people. After the conclusion of its first General Assembly last month, Outreach spoke with Father Martin about his reaction to the Synod document, how he dialogues with critics and what he expects for the concluding session next October.

“I think that the majority of people felt there was a need to welcome LGBTQ people in the church in some way. How we [would go] about that is up for debate,” he said.