Fr. James Martin | Photo: HarperOne/Youtube
A pro-LGBTI priest has received ‘oceans of hate at threats’ in the lead-up to addressing a major Catholic Church event.
Fr. James Martin says that despite the abuse he has received he still intends to attend the World Meeting of Families in Dublin later this month.
The American Jesuit priest’s trip to Ireland has experienced pushback from conservative Catholics who staunchly disagree with his views on LGBTI rights.
Conservative Catholic group Tradition, Family and Property launched a petition to disinvite Fr. Martin. The group claimed that Fr. Martin views ‘support transgenderism for children,’ and ‘favours homosexuals kissing during the mass,’ the Independent.ie reported.
As of last week, it was reported their petition had gained almost 10,000 signatures.
The organizers of the event have confirmed that no changes have been made to the planned line-up.
Fr. Martin has said he will speak on the subject of ‘Welcoming LGBT Catholics to the event.’
The event will last five days, and will address issues which include ‘the impact of technology on the family’, and the ‘impact of conflict on faith and the family’.
Pope Francis will be in attendance for the last two days.
‘Homophobia represents a very small percentage of Catholics’
Fr. Martin has often been the target of conservative elements of the Catholic Church, and has clashed with Tradition, Family and Property in the past. In February over 12,000 members of the group’s American branch signed a petition to have disinvite the priest from addressing a parish in New Jersey.
In response to the abuse which had been levelled at him, Fr. Martin maintained that his views were entirely in-line with the Church’s message of love. ‘What kind of Jesuit would I be if I let hatred stop me from loving?’ he said.
‘Besides that, homophobia represents a very small percentage of Catholics, and I have the support of my Jesuit superiors, several cardinals, archbishops and bishops, and, also, the majority of the faithful, many of whom have LGBT people in their families,’ Fr. Martin added.
‘These protesters are not only on the wrong side of history, they’re on the wrong side of the Gospel.’
