Though no longer Catholic or a believer of any stripe, I want to comment on the meeting in September between Pope Leo XIV and Jesuit Father James Martin, founder of Outreach, a support group for LGBTQ+ Catholics. The pope, in short, encouraged him to continue his ministry to the group’s members.

After reading reports on their meeting, I Googled this question: Does the Catholic support group Outreach encourage its members to abide by church teaching on sexuality? AI Overview replied, “No.”  Rather, its purpose is to foster dialogue and advocate for inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the Church.

Dialogue with a view to what?  I mean, the Church can’t change its teaching on the matter — in point of fact, it’s upheld as infallible — nor would Outreach members ever agree to abide by it.

Inclusion? Same-sex couples at church gatherings discreetly defending their lifestyle to fellow Catholics as divinely blessed? Would drag queens be welcome at them, even with children present? Would the baptism of babies adopted by same-sex couples be permitted?  

In my view, what leaders like Martin are after is an overhaul of the teaching, as signaled by the fact that Outreach doesn’t encourage its members to live chaste lives. 

According to bedrock Catholic teaching, a priest’s first duty is to save souls from eternal damnation, so-called. But that’s not what Martin’s engaged in doing. Rather, he’s pushing the envelope, and with the Pope’s blessing.  

William LaRochelle
Lewiston