Martin Sicker

James Joseph Martin Jr., born December 29, 1960, is an American Jesuit priest and a prominent writer whose work often explores themes of spirituality and faith within contemporary life. He holds the position of editor-at-large for America magazine and founded Outreach, an organization focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Catholic Church. Martin is recognized as a New York Times Best-Selling author, with notable works including "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life" and "Jesus: A Pilgrimage." His public speaking engagements frequently center on Ignatian spirituality, drawing inspiration from Ignatius of Loyola.

Martin's engagement with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, has been a significant focus of his recent work, including his book "Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity." This outreach has garnered both support and criticism within the Catholic Church. Pope Francis appointed Martin as a consultant to the Secretariat for Communications at the Vatican in 2017 and invited him to participate in the Synod on Synodality. His ministry and advocacy have also been the subject of a documentary film titled "Building a Bridge."

Born on December 29, 1960, James Joseph Martin Jr. grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. After earning a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, he worked in the corporate sector at General Electric. Dissatisfied with this path, Martin found a deeper calling within the Catholic Church, leading him to join the Society of Jesus. His formation included extensive service in various settings, such as a hospital for the seriously ill, a hospice with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, an orphanage in Jamaica, a homeless shelter, and a school for inner-city youth. He also worked with street-gang members and the homeless. Martin pursued advanced degrees in philosophy and theology, and during his "regency" assignment, he assisted refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, co-founding a handicraft shop. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1999.

Martin is a prolific author, having written or edited over a dozen books that delve into religious and spiritual subjects. He is a regular commentator for various media outlets, including CNN, NPR, and The Huffington Post, and has contributed op-ed pieces to The New York Times. His book "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" became a New York Times bestseller and inspired him to lead pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Martin has also been involved in theater, contributing to the book "A Jesuit Off-Broadway: Center Stage with Jesus, Judas, and Life's Big Questions" about a stage production, and appeared as a priest in Martin Scorsese's film "The Irishman." His television appearances include multiple discussions on "The Colbert Report," where he addressed topics ranging from faith and poverty to papal resignations and economic justice.

Following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, Martin intensified his public outreach and lectures aimed at fostering better pastoral care for LGBTQ+ Catholics within the Church. This advocacy is detailed in his book "Building a Bridge," which received praise from some Catholic prelates but also faced criticism and lecture cancellations from others. Martin has stated he does not challenge the Church's teaching on homosexuality but has questioned the language used to describe homosexual attraction. Archbishop Charles Chaput cautioned that Martin does not speak for the Church on LGBTQ+ issues, though he also acknowledged the "bitterness" of some attacks against Martin. Pope Francis appointed Martin as a consultant to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communications and invited him to participate in the Synod on Synodality, underscoring his role in discussions within the Church.