--- title: Religion: The Catholic Church's Inclusion Problem description: Bishops at the Synod on the Family are debating what to do to people about who feel shut out canonical: https://time.com/4070048/catholic-church-inclusion/ author: James Martin article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-10-12T20:23:32.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:01:17.972Z article:section: Ideas og:title: The Catholic Church's Inclusion Problem og:description: Bishops at the Synod on the Family are debating what to do to people about who feel shut out og:url: https://time.com/4070048/catholic-church-inclusion/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcd248b935431398e/698867e9524fc0087cdf4f86/9118osjj6xl.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: 9118osjj6xl.jpg og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: The Catholic Church's Inclusion Problem twitter:description: Bishops at the Synod on the Family are debating what to do to people about who feel shut out twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcd248b935431398e/698867e9524fc0087cdf4f86/9118osjj6xl.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # The Catholic Church's Inclusion Problem  by [James Martin](https://time.com/author/james-martin/)  ## James Martin Oct 12, 2015 8:23 PM UTC  Harper Collins  by [James Martin](https://time.com/author/james-martin/)  ## James Martin Oct 12, 2015 8:23 PM UTC How should the Catholic Church minister to those who feel excluded? That is one of the questions being taken up by the [Synod on the Family](http://ncronline.org/feature-series/synod-family), the gathering of bishops now meeting at the Vatican to discuss a vast array of topics, including how the church should treat divorced and remarried Catholics, LGBT Catholics, and other people who have felt shut out. There are two main ways for a church to welcome people, and these approaches are exemplified by two figures in the Gospels, a delineation mapped outby the biblical scholar Ben Meyer. The first you could call the “John the Baptist method,” where the church asks for conversion as a prerequisite for joining the community. Even those with scant biblical knowledge can easily conjure up an image of John the Baptist, a fiery prophet wearing a camel-hair garments and eating locusts, passionately calling people to a “baptism of repentance,” as the Gospel of Mark has it. Conversion meant a change of heart and a change of life that oriented one toward God. Only then were people ready to enter the reign of God. For John the Baptist, it was conversion first, community second. By contrast, there is what you might call the “Jesus method.” In the story of Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus spies a man named Zacchaeus perched high in a sycamore tree. He was the chief tax collector in the region, which at the time would have also meant that he was considered the “chief sinner” in the region, since he was colluding with the hated Roman authorities. Jesus calls up to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today!” Zacchaeus shinnies down the tree and repents, saying that that he will repay anyone he has defrauded “four times as much.” Jesus’s offer of welcome prompted Zacchaeus’s change of heart. For Jesus, it was community first, conversion second. Obviously these are simplifications of the complex ministries of John and Jesus. It’s unclear whether John’s disciples gathered around him before being baptized or after. And, needless to say, Jesus called people to conversion after he met them. But in general, the two models are accurate: John’s emphasis was mainly on purification; Jesus’s mainly on mercy. They are also helpful templates when considering how the church approaches those on the margins, those who feel distanced from the church, those who have engaged in sinful behaviors—in fact, everyone who feels excluded from the church. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier briefly addressed this divide on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/CardinalNapier/status/652167986602622976) last week when he disputed the idea that we should “meet people where they were.” (The Jesus method.) Rather, he said, Jesus “called them away from where they were.” Yet before Jesus could think about calling people away from where they were, he did in fact have to meet them where they _already_ were. This is true both literally and metaphorically. Think of Jesus, for example, traveling all the way from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee, a distance of some 40 miles, to call St. Peter, as the Gospel of Matthew and Mark recounts. Jesus, quite literally, met Peter where he was. He also used language from Peter’s world, rather than from his. When Jesus calls Peter, he doesn’t use the language of a carpenter, with which Jesus was more familiar. (For example, he could have said, “Follow me and we will build the house of God.”) Instead, he uses the language of the fisherman, which Peter would better understand. (“Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”). Again, Jesus is doing his best to meet Peter where he is. Only then does he call Peter away from the Sea of Galilee and his old life. The Synod on the Family is grappling with, among other issues, how the Catholic Church can welcome people on the global level. This also happens on the local level. Pastors, pastoral associates and all church workers deal with these questions almost every day. As I see it, the movement for Jesus was always from the outside-in. He went _out_ to those who were officially excluded or who felt excluded—in his time, that meant primarily the sick and the sinful—and brought them _in_. He restored them to the community. This is something the church may need to do more of: welcome, meet people where they are, and listen. Certainly conversion is in order for everyone—including me. But how can we change hearts if we don’t welcome them first? While both John the Baptist and Jesus’s methods are valid, in the end we need to remember why John the Baptist said of Jesus: “He must increase and I must decrease.” _James Martin, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America and author of the new novel_ [The Abbey: A Story of Discovery](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SG1EMUO/?tag=timecom-20)_, published this week._ ### See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.  Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. Charles Mostoller—Reuters  A man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Carlos Barria—Reuters  A man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Matt Slocum—AP  Pope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. Mark Makela—Reuters  People without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015. Michael Perez—AP  Crowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. Michael Perez—AP  A family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015. Julio Cortez—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Matt Rourke—AP  Pope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Matt Slocum—AP  People pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. James Robinson—AP  The wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP  Pope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa. Mel Evans—AP  Nuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. Carlos Barria—Reuters  Pope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport. Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/AP  Pope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City. Julie Jacobson—AP  A crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City. Michael Appleton—AP  Thousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City. Justin Sullivan—Getty Images  Pope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015. Eric Thayer—AP  Security personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Pope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015. John Minchillo—AP  Pope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Mary Altaffer—AP  Pope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015. Damon Winter—AFP/Getty Images  People in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015. Damon Winter—The New York Times/Reuters  A New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015. Damon Winter—AP/The New York Times  Pope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York. Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015. Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Doug Mills—Getty Images  Pope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015 Michael Reynolds—Getty Images  Pope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Evan Vucci—AP  Pope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—AP  Pope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Bill Clark—EPA  Pope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  Pope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Rob Carr—Getty Images  St. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Alex Brandon—AP  Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Alex Brandon—AP  President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—AP  President Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP  First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images  Guests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images  President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Andrew Harnik—AP  People wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 . Molly Riley—AFP/Getty Images  A man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Cliff Owen—AP  Pope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP  A crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015. Kevin Lamarque—Reuters  Pope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPA  President Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015. Kevin Larmarque—Reuters  President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—AP  Pope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Clergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives. Andrew Harnik—AP  US Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images  Pope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. 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