BE MERCIFUL, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IS MERCIFUL. JUDGE NOT, AND YOU WILL NOT BE JUDGE. CONDEMN NOT, AND YOU WILL NOT BE CONDEMN STOP JUDGING AND YOU WILL NOT BE JUDGE. GOD JUDGES, NOT YOU… FOR WITH THE MEASURE YOU USE IT WILL BE MEASURED BACK TO YOU. LUKE 6: 36-38
Father James Martin J.S. is a Jesuit priest who, in 2018, published the book Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion and Sensitivity. As explained in the press release, the non-fiction film highlights Father Martin´s speaking tour at colleges, parishes, and conferences, teaching others to build a more accepting relationship with the LGTB+ community. He is an advocate for those whose voices have been unheard, inside and outside the church, I give him thanks for that and hope he will continue opening the minds and hearts of others. Father Martin is a charismatic, intelligent, charming, and empathic man (reminded me of Stanley Tucci), he lives in Manhattan and from there shares his message of the union against hate and love, after Pope Francis message: Who am I to judge?
Father James Martin uses media, he is well known and says hello to people that recognizes him in the streets, he moves like fish in the water in interviews on Fox News and other networks, he quotes Jesus ”the overlooked person is the one we have to pay attention to.”
The book and his advocacy in the LGTB+ community is a result of the Pulse Mass shooting in Orlando, in 2016. Father Martin decided to take action since the gay community was being ignored even in death, confirming that the members of the LGBT collective were invisible to the church.
The film also shows the dark side of the soul in which hypocritical conservative Catholics shine, they support traditional marriage between man and woman and reject Fr. Martin´s attempt to normalize homosexual acts. For this he has been bullied constantly, named a heretic and cancer to the church. A hateful Twitter account posted that he is famous for this book about sodomy and actively promotes sodomy as well… and asks its followers to pray the rosary, fast, and take action.
The documentary gives voice to the infamous Church Militant-The Vortex, by a mean and incongruent Michael Voris, who portrays, the obscurity that abounds in the ultra-conservative catholic community.
In sexuality we all are vulnerable as human beings, there is fear of sex because of its unknown complexity. Families do not talk about sex, and frequently, sexual abuse happens in that small circle of intimacy; when so, it is neglected. Fear of the difference is no good and makes one do arbitrary things, guilt feelings and inner demons materialize.
Vatican´s Congregation of the Faith, in a letter of 1986, condemned violence against gays and lesbians and, in the same document, stated that it shouldn’t be surprised if violence happens.
Many LGBT people do not go to church anymore, they feel hurt, excluded, insulted, and unwelcomed. Vicious attacks from bishops and priests and the silence of the church have to do with that decision.
Father Martin says “Root yourself in your baptism and claim your place in the church, participate, be a leader”… wishful thinking to me since there are ‘wolves in sheep´s clothing’ all around. Many priests and followers of Father Martin are needed to transform the church since a single swallow does not a summer make. The beloved and innocent children of love, as baptized Catholics, are looking forward to respect and acceptance.
The Catholic church holds all the power to do the difference and to build a two-way bridge, its existence is at stake.
Father Martin begins and ends the film at the house of the Jesuit Community on the Upper West Side, he breathes deeply outdoors while gardening and planting. Winter is fading, it is early Spring and flowers are blooming, a renaissance promise.
The documentary co-directed by Evan Mascagni and Shannon Post was originally screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021
(BUILDING A BRIDGE will release on VOD on May 3, followed by a launch on AMC+ on June 21 and broadcast premiere on Sundance TV on June 26.)
Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of El Azar Cultural, raised as a Catholic, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings and eager to live `the experience.
