Jesuit priest James Martin, who is known for his message of acceptance towards LGBT+ people, has argued that queer lives are as “precious” as the lives of unborn children.
The priest revealed in an article earlier this month that he is opposed to abortion in an article for America Magazine. Bizarrely, he argues against abortion by invoking the violence and mental health issues often faced by LGBT+ people.
While Martin acknowledges that “women’s bodies are their own,” he insists this does “not diminish my own reverence for the living body in a woman’s womb.”
“I cannot deny that I see the child in the womb, from the moment of his or her conception, as a creation of God, deserving of our respect, protection and love,” Martin writes.
“Mysterious, precious, unique, infinite, made in the image and likeness of God. Holy.”
Father James Martin argues that LGBT+ lives are as sacred as the lives of unborn babies.
The article then goes on to argue that all life is sacred and invokes the plight of refugees and, of course, queer people.
“To take another non-traditional ‘life issue,’ think about LGBT people. In the past few years I have learned a great deal about how these precious lives are also in grave danger.”
Martin writes that LGBT+ people are at higher risk of facing suicide and violence, and quotes statistics about the alarming rates of violence faced by transgender people.
“In some places, then, LGBT issues are truly life issues. The life of an LGBT teenager in a family that rejects them is precious, just as the life of a child in the womb is precious.
“So my respect for life extends to all people, but most especially those whose lives are at risk: the unborn child, to be sure, but also the refugee whose life is threatened by war, the L.G.B.T. young person tempted to commit suicide, the homeless person whose life is endangered by malnutrition, the uninsured sick person with no health care, the elderly person in danger of being euthanized.
In some places, then, LGBT issues are truly life issues. The life of an LGBT teenager in a family that rejects them is precious, just as the life of a child in the womb is precious.
“I have come to value all life, from conception to natural death, and believe that our laws should reflect this important principle.”
Martin’s article will come as a disappointment to the many LGBT+ people who viewed him as a progressive force within the church with the potential to enact real change.
Martin has since criticised people for ‘celebrating’ liberalisation of abortion laws.
He has since doubled down on his views. Writing in response to the Reproductive Health Act’s passing in New York State, Martin said: “I am pro life. And I have many friends who are pro choice. I try to understand their experience and reasoning as they try to understand mine. But I cannot imagine anyone wanting to ‘celebrate’ more abortions.”
Some people expressed their disappointment with James Martin over his comments.
They’re not celebrating abortions, for heaven’s sake.
I followed you because you seemed to be a voice for the real Jesus in the Catholic Church. The past week has shattered that illusion. At the least, I must thank you for making me realize I made the right decision to leave.
— CharM (@Vladdiefan) January 23, 2019
I celebrated this law passing because if Roe v. Wade goes, my life is on the line. A pregnancy could kill me.
— Shannon Barnsley (@ShanBarnsley) January 23, 2019
I celebrate men and women having the freedom to choose when and how to start families without state interference
— ericlinuskaplan (@ericlinuskaplan) January 23, 2019
It is often assumed that abortion is not an issue that affects LGBT+ people, however activists have repeatedly pointed out that this is not the case.
Furthermore, LGBT+ people face higher rates of unemployment and poverty, which means they can struggle to access abortion services due to financial constraints.