Bishop Robert Barron, an auxiliary bishop for Los Angeles and founder of the popular Word on Fire ministry, experienced a tsunami of criticism after praising pro-LGBT Fr. James Martin in an endorsement for the Jesuit’s new book about prayer.
“Delighted to share the final cover of Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, to be published in Feb by Harper One Books,” said Martin in a tweet which accompanies the galley proofs for the book’s cover.
“Thanks to Bishop Barron, Cardinal B Cupich … and others for their support,” he added.
A close inspection of the back cover reveals Bishop Barron’s personal praise for the Jesuit, long known for his dedication to normalizing homosexuality and transgenderism within the Catholic Church.
“Fr. Martin is a winsome guide to all those who want to deepen their friendship with the Lord,” wrote Barron.
Social media erupted with sharp backlash from orthodox Catholics decrying Barron’s support for Martin.
“Now that Barron has publicly endorsed a book on prayer by Fr. James Martin, he has absolutely no credibility for orthodox Catholics,” declared LifeSite columnist Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, an outspoken Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, author, and Church commentator, in a Facebook posting.
“This, friends, is a moment of God-given clarity,” continued Kwasniewski. “Barron, standing atop his media empire, brandishing a new Barronized Bible, has made the mistake of thinking he’s invincible.”
“This step clinches that he is in the charmed circle of [James] Martin, [Blase] Cupich, [Wilton] Gregory, [Theodore] McCarrick, et alia.”
“I am angry. But, more than that, I am so very sad,” wrote Fr. Richard Heilman, popular author and speaker. “It is now more clear than ever that the appeasement and compromise of our bishops to the ruling class and the purveyors of moral disintegration has been revealed to be endemic. This, while prelates do not blink an eye in castigating any holy and heroic priest who receives so much as one complaint from the Left….”
The above comes from an Oct. 31 story on LifeSiteNews.
Bishop Barron Should be called out for his support of blatant homosexualist James Martin! These two clergymen are leading the flock astray, not just homosexuals but Catholics who need to know the Church’s moral teachings, which this duo won’t accept. It is to their peril!
Both of these men accept the Church’s moral teachings. And who are you, bearing false witness? I bet you don’t know either one of them. They are not the ones in peril.
Is Bishop Barron shifting with the current ecclesial winds in the Church?
If so, that is very disappointing.
“That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:14, right before the notable verse about truth and love going together.
Hmm…hard to know where this one will go…Bp. Barron’s style has always been to meet a guy where he is and to appeal to the secular world thru giving credit where credit is due (at least as he sees it). The problem is that the other side doesn’t see it that way and Fr. Martin’s supporters would throw Bp. Barron under the bus in a hot second.
And concessions aside, they certainly are not followers of Word on Fire. Scandalizing the market that pays the bills might not have been the best move…he’s really going to be walking this back in the next few weeks I predict….
I agree , he will try to walk it back but the damage has been done , this shows his true colors , that someone so seemingly media savvy would do this , I think it was a possible career move to get his red hat.
As Michael Malice says, conservatives are liberals who drive the limit.
Adios, Fake Shepherd!
Big Mistake. Bishop Barron thinks he’s the new Fulton Sheen. Would Sheen have endorsed Fr. James Martin’s book? Nope.
None of us are at the state of holiness where we only find fault with ourselves yet.
Here’s what’s going on with this. Bishop Barron can’t explicitly come out and advocate in support of James Martin, but he can write a blurb for Martin’s new book, which will get the attention of Pope Francis as Barron being a team player, and now Barron is on a short list to get a cushy diocesan appointment in an important city instead of being an auxiliary in L.A. or being appointed ordinary of some Podunk diocese.
It is a possible move to get his red hat , martin is friends with the pope , think of it as virtue signaling .
Why would a bishop do such a scandalous, irrational act as to promote the following of an errant priest ? Its like they are being pressured or blackmailed ?
For your consideration: bishops have laptops too.
I had mistakenly been a little sympathetic towards Barron for all the heat that he had taken in recent times. I was wrong. He has now shown his true colors.
Gosh, what would happen if I complimented the beautiful artwork in the Sistine Chapel in Rome? Do a little research on Michelangelo and you can gossip about how he was gay and that I must be an idiot to see the beauty in his artwork. .
With all due respect Fr. Higgins but did Michelangelo promote same-sex sodomy and lead many people astray especially those struggling with same sex attraction?
Father, I respect your opinion.
Do you think James Martin is a good, reliable spiritual guide?
Frankly, at the very least, his “studied ambiguity” (about which Pope Benedict warned us) is causing confusion, and subsequent harm, among many.
(“Fr. Martin is a winsome guide to all those who want to deepen their friendship with the Lord,” wrote Barron.)
I don’t think you’d ever be an idiot to see the beauty in Michelangelo’s artwork, Father.
However, one would have to be an idiot to believe that, because it’s fine to compliment Michelangelo’s work, so it’s fine to lend public support to Fr. Martin’s work “Learning to Pray.”
The risk of scandal in doing the latter is _grossly disproportionate_ to the risk of scandal in doing the former. That’s at least one reason why the comparison you’re making, if I understand you correctly, simply isn’t fair — not to the facts and not to the people who are offended by Bishop Barron’s behavior.
Fr Higgins, It is always a gift and a treat when you and other Priests comment on CCD.
But what kind of analogy was that, that you gave? None of us are near perfect and if we were, we still would be in no position to judge others.
But we are referring to the words of Bishop Barron,
” “Fr. Martin is a winsome guide to all those who want to deepen their friendship with the Lord’, wrote Barron…”
Winsome means appealing, delightful, captivating, engaging, enthralling…
So here, the Bishop is referring to the author, James Martin, not the book.
He didn’t have to go out of his way to affirm the author and the author’s capacity as a spiritual teacher “guide”,
especially when the author has been outspoken in non-catholic teaching.
It’s unfathomable!
Also, the book is suspicious since we know the author’s agenda.
BTW, It is said that many agenda-driving books will hide their subversive message in the middle while the beginning and ending appear regular.
I do not think there is any historical evidence of Michaelangelo supporting sinful, deviant acts of gay sex perversion– nor committing these sinful acts, with another male. He is known simply for his outstanding religious artistic contributions to our Church. That’s all. Yes, we all do and should be highly appreciative of Michaelangelo’s outstanding contributions! My mother wept the morning she first saw his “David,” in Florence, Italy, while on a trip — and I cried and never got over it, the first time I ever saw his “Pieta,” located in the Vatican– my mother brought me a small replica as a gift, when I was very young. Our Blessed Mother tenderly, tragically holding her beautiful, holy, pure, wrongfully-crucified, dead Son– so exquisitely holy and beautiful!– taken down from the Cross, Who had just suffered and died for all mankind! — that statue inspired in me a deep love, awe, and adoration so overwhelmingly huge, far beyond anything I could ever possibly understand, for my very young years, especially! I loved, adored, and cried over that exquisitely beautiful statue, night and day, and knelt beside it often, all alone, saying my prayers, in my room.
I have always believed that matters of sexuality should be kept discreetly concealed, publicly– and should be strictly a private matter. Especially, with the holy Church! And if you have problems– for example, if you or your spouse is unfaithful, or if you are unmarried and pregnant, or if you are a sexually-active homosexual– you have an obligation to God and to society, to be morally good and decent– and to correct your problems and wrongful behaviors! Keep such potentially scandalous problems between yourself and a trusted family member, doctor, counselor, friend, or priest! Go to Confession– and receive God’s sacramental grace and help, to end sinful behavior, and lead a good, new life! Some great artistic geniuses have had serious problems– including promiscuity, adultery, and homosexuality, etc.. Yet as long as a great religious artist leads a good life– or else, atones sincerely for sin, in cases of wrong-doing– their God-given artistic gifts are truly a wonderful blessing– and a magnificent contribution!–and bring tremendous good to the Church– as well as even to non-believers, who may experience sudden religious conversions, when beholding (or listening to, with musical works) their great works of religious art! Their Divinely-given gifts have the unique, special power, to directly enrapture, uplift and transport heart, mind and soul, to God– before a priest may even reach you, with religious preaching and teaching! Of course, there are also some very gifted, saintly priests, capable of uplifting you, and leading you straight to Heaven’s door!
Father Higgins, there certainly are homosexual effusions in the Sistine Chapel but the art is appreciated in spite of the sinful depictions, not because of them. The point of the work is not a blatant attempt to promote homosexuality, as is the work of Fr. James Martin. Bishop Barron’s complimentary praise of Martin’s views is scandalous so it cannot shock you to see that the laity sees a rainbow affinity from them both.
No comparison between martin and Michelangelo , your moral equivalency is wrong and disappointing , some moral clarity on martins past and advocacy is needed , unless do you agree with his advocacy ?.
Fr Higgins, with all due respect… you wrote
“Do a little research on Michelangelo and you can gossip about how he was gay…”
1). To encourage capricious research on the homosexual acts of Michelangelo or anyone would be to lead them to risk a near occasion of sin. And the gossipy retelling could endanger our listeners.
You continued, “…and that I must be an idiot to see the beauty in his artwork.”
2). The book was not complimented by the Bishop, the Bishop upheld the Author as a Guide to follow in order to deepen their spiritual life and grow closer to Jesus. This is not comparable to admiration of Michelangelo’s art.
Are you recommending the book or author to us? (not understanding the sarcasm/irony/humor of your response)
very sad
this may be a revelation
of just how horribly bad things are
what a deep mystery:
the Church is the indefectible
and Spotless Bride of Christ
because He suffered and died for HER
my head is spinning
pray for the Church
I made the decision, sadly, long ago, to ignore Bp. Barron, when EWTN began to broadcast his programs– he was too interested in presenting himself and the Catholic Faith, in a secularized, “entertaining” manner, similar to a non-religious broadcaster– or, “entertainer.” (Are we having “lots of fun” in church, yet, Fr. Barron?? Aren’t you supposed to be a very serious Rector, at an outstanding seminary– Mundelein??) Sorry— not good enough, for a former seminary Rector, and later, a respectable Auxiliary Bishop of a prominent Archdioese! Bp. Barron has no business supporting a wayward, gay-promoting Jesuit– Fr. Martin– who ought to have been seriously reprimanded, disciplined, and censured by the Catholic Church, long ago!
Unlike Michaelangelo– Fr. James
Martin’s whole vocation– his entire priestly ministry!– is spent on promoting the sinful “gay” lifestyle! And Bishop Barron doesn’t care much, either, regarding his heavily secularized, “pop”-culture-saturated ministry. Worthless, for the cause of Christ!
I wonder which books and authors Bishop Barron has declined to provide an endorsement for.
The area of the LA diocese that Bishop Barron is the auxiliary for, is the Santa Barbara region. Just recently one of the churches in that area received a Papal designation to be a Basilica. When I read that (perhaps in Cal Catholic?) I wondered if this designation came with strings attached that B Barron would be responsible to fulfill… Perhaps this is exhibit A.
This site is so sad . Everyone is full of so much anger, judging others, so negative.
Jesus said love one another as I have loved you.Judge not lest you be judged. This is scandalous. This site does not reflect Jesus’ teachings. So much anger and hate.
Anonymous – Shortly, they will start attacking you. Take it with a grain of salt. Think about using a name in the future so that l can follow your rational comments.
Anonymous , if it is so sad why are you here ?, your misunderstanding of Christs teachings is astonishing , look at how he treated the money changers , look at how he spoke to the Pharisees. In the Catholic blogosphere there is much more heated exchanges then you would find here .
Anonymous– when Christ walked the earth, He was a fully adult young man, a great, big, famous Jewish Rabbi– with a great, big responsibility, in religious leadership! And also, He was Divine– the holy Son of God, perfect, pure and sinless! He was no babyish, dope-addicted, dirty, stinking, 1960s-type “hippie,” dozing off in the park, “high” on some dangerous, illegal hallucinogen– mumbling mindless “baby-talk” words of “love and peace,” to everyone! Christ was a holy, Divine Teacher– the Son of God — Divine Love Itself! He was a great, big Authority figure, whom all must respect, listen to, and obey. An Authority figure — a good parent, teacher, priest/minister/rabbi– or a police officer!– in a community, has the responsibility to rebuke bad behaviors of people, when necessary, and apply appropriate discipline. You must always carefully judge the bad behavior– not the person!– and apply appropriate discipline. It is a big responsibility! Christ, like your loving mom or dad– did this out of love and concern, while guiding His “wayward” sheep.
Anon says Jesus was a great big famous Jewish Rabbi? I must have missed that in Sunday School. Or was it babyish school. Yikes I can’t remember now.
Anon99 says: Why are you here? But doesn’t Christ ask, “Come follow me”
Dona Nobis Pacem asks, in effect, Why can’t we ask rational questions?
Anonymous asks: Can we ask a kind rational question?
“What Does It Mean…” — No, you didn’t miss a thing, in Sunday School! “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in Heaven.” (from St. Matthew, Chapter 16) We will celebrate the Feast of Christ the King soon, on Sun. Nov. 22nd– right before Advent begins.
Anonymous, I do agree with you, that sometimes you see posts, here or elsewhere online, that are just plain mean-spirited and un-Christian. Wish the Pope would get strong, with “tough-love”– and discipline some of his errant clerics, with very bad behavior! They do terrible damage, in their positions, in the Church!
Well said! I totally agree
Speaking of bad behavior– today, Election Day, when I had to go out to do some shopping, I was quite shocked to see many nice, big stores, with large display windows boarded up, with security guards close by, and police cars cruising around the business districts! I asked what that was all about. I was told that tragically, store owners were afraid of post-election riots! Isn’t that horrible, in a great country like America?? We desperately need “law and order,” moral decency and good discipline! That’s what I said, when the filthy, violent college campus “hippie riots” started, many decades ago– and things only got worse! Many of the sick, immoral, liberal college professors often were even worse– more deadly subversive!– than the kids! America needs a lot of prayer– and a lot of powerful action, to restore her to her original Judeo-Christian Biblically-based foundations, to become the great country she was meant by God to be!
FWIW:
Caravaggio was, by all accounts, a moral rotter
but name the dog who sez he wasn’t a great artist !
As noted in Crisis magazine:
It’s instructive to recall some of Father Martin’s public statements:
This is not an exhaustive list but a beginning: (1) the affirmation to LGBTQ people that “God made them [wonderfully] that way”; (2) “The Church needs to rethink its teachings about homosexuality—its dogmatic teaching. Instead of saying it’s objectively disordered, it should say it’s just differently ordered”; (3) same-sex couples should be able to kiss during Mass: “What’s the terrible thing?”; (4) the Church should reverence homosexual unions; and (5) being against same-sex “marriage” is like being racist.
Are the Bishops Bob (Barron and McElroy) willing to clearly state their positions in contrast with those of James Martin?
I haven’t read this book, but the caption under the picture of this article strikes me as rather overextended. A priest in good standing writes a book on prayer, a Bishop writes a blurb, and now the Bishop has no credibility among certain people. I’m sorry, a book on prayer causes people to lose faith in a bishop who issues an endorsement of a book on prayer? There is something wrong with this picture and it has maybe something to do with the old adage about judging a book by its cover.
Joe Biden officiated at a same sex wedding, that’s not Catholic. Do you support same sex marriage?
What does Joe Biden or same sex marriage have anything to do with a book on prayer?
Just want to know where you stand on same sex marriage.
YFC, why no answer? A fellow Catholic should be able to say no easily. What gives?
So much hate!
Jesus talked more about heterosexual adultery as opposed to homosexuality, as it harms far more people, hurts children, often involves lying, etc.. What Bishop Barron and others object to, is the disproportionate emphasis on homosexual sin, especially at a time where the hierarchy had a long history of protecting priests who were guilty of worse crimes. If a heterosexual adulterer can confess, be granted absolution, and welcomed back into the Church, gays should be treated the same way.