The author has spoken with countless Catholics who are passionate about LGBTQ ministry but feel stymied by a lack of resources. Fr. Martin's book, Building a Bridge, is a helpful conversation starter, but what does community and pastoral care look like in the real world? How do ministers navigate the complexities of church teaching and institutions?
Sometimes, the history of these relationships is hard to recount. The church's mistreatment of LGBTQ Catholics is heartbreaking. Nevertheless, this painful history opens up to hope for the future. LGBTQ Catholics and their allies are tenacious. Decades of ministry provide a vision for what is possible in communities committed to justice and mercy. This book will amplify their stories to inspire LGBTQ people and allies today.
Endorsements
"The history that Jason shares in LGBTQ Catholic Ministry is not always comfortable. Many in the Church have failed to treat LGBTQ Catholics with the dignity they deserve. Knowledge of this painful past must be faced, but it can also help us build a better future. Recognizing that LGBTQ people have remained in the Body of Christ through the highs and lows is the first step to building bridges between the community and church leaders."
--from the foreword
"The U.S. Catholic community has become increasingly LGBTQ friendly in the last few decades. Through historical cameos, Jason Steidl Jack shows us how the Church arrived at this point. And the reader gets much more--stirring examples of how the Church can walk together with LGBTQ Catholics in Pope Francis's call to synodality. A fine contribution to LGBTQ ministry!"
--Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SL, cofounder, New Ways Ministry
"This well-researched book will help readers understand how LGBTQ Catholic ministry has evolved from singular efforts to the multitude of groups doing this work today. Readers can enter into the hopes, challenges, determination, and persistence of those toiling in this always-challenging vineyard."
--Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director, DignityUSA
Jason Steidl Jack is an assistant teaching professor of religious studies at St. Joseph's University in New York. He earned a PhD in systematic theology at Fordham University. Since 2015, he has been part of Out at St. Paul (OSP), the LGBTQ ministry of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan, and he serves on the board of directors for Fortunate Families.
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