What he said — Jesus + The Nashville Statement

Father James Martin — Jesuit priest, editor at large for America Magazine, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage and Building a Bridge,  consultor to the Vatican Secretariat for Communication​, and former chaplain to the Colbert Nation — responded to The Nashville Statement - so-called because it was ratified in the city. 

The Nashville Statement centers on 14 affirmations and denials; Martin repeated the pattern in a series of seven tweets, recreated here.

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

Re #NashvilleStatement: 

I affirm: That God loves all LGBT people. 

I deny: That Jesus wants us to insult, judge or further marginalize them.

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm: That all of us are in need of conversion. 

I deny: That LGBT people should be in any way singled out as the chief or only sinners

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm: That when Jesus encountered people on the margins he led with welcome not condemnation. 

I deny: That Jesus wants any more judging.

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm: That LGBT people are, by virtue of baptism, full members of the church. 

I deny: That God wants them to feel that they don't belong

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm: That LGBT people have been made to feel like dirt by many churches. 

I deny: That Jesus wants us to add to their immense suffering.

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm: That LGBT people are some of the holiest people I know. 

I deny: That Jesus wants us to judge others, when he clealrly forbade it.

James Martin SJ @JamesMartinSJ  Aug 30 

I affirm that the Father loves LGBT people, the Son calls them and the Holy Spirit guides them. 

I deny nothing about God's love for them.

What he said.