News and Views

Reflecting on the Raising of Lazarus, from John’s Gospel (11:1-44), can offer all of us, not just LGBTQ people, some clues in how to move away from the focusing on the negative.

This is the 16th such gathering since Pope St. Paul VI reinstituted the synod, an ancient form of ecclesial consultation, in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.

In an excerpt from his new book, “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’s Greatest Miracle,” Outreach editor James Martin, S.J., writes that God embraces even the shameful parts of our lives.

In this exclusive excerpt from his new book, “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’s Greatest Miracle,” author James Martin, S.J., describes the need for church leaders to consider “the effects of stigmatizing language” about the LGBTQ community.

Can the church listen with humility and the same attentiveness to those whom it considers “other”?

Why is it that what offends is rarely about fundamental beliefs in Jesus, or God more generally, and more about the activities of LGBTQ people specifically?

The conference welcomed more than 250 people from around the U.S. and eight foreign countries, including Argentina, Australia, England, Italy, Malta, Spain, Belgium and Germany.

It’s important for churches to mark Pride Month and remind our LGBTQ friends that they are welcome in what is, after all, their church, too.

Remember that no matter what hateful things you may hear from a few people, you are still part of the Body of Christ.

Alison also spoke about what it means for LGBTQ people to face “discord” with some aspects of church documents.