Grace on the Margins

Columnist Jamie Manson writes about issues of equality in the church, particularly those that affect women and LGBTQ individuals.

Pope Francis greets Australian Cardinal George Pell during an audience to exchange greetings with members of the Roman Curia in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Dec. 22, 2016. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Column: With his treatment of Cardinal Pell, Pope Francis shows his clericalism

by Jamie Manson

Dec 15, 2018

Grace on the Margins: Why does the pope who once told priests to "smell like the sheep" keep favoring abusive prelates and doubting their victims?

Pope Francis leads a meeting with priests, seminarians and religious at the cathedral in Palermo, Sicily, Sept. 15. (CNS/Paul Haring)

So, what are 'deep-seated homosexual tendencies' anyway?

by Jamie Manson

Dec 7, 2018

Grace on the Margins: In a new interview, Francis reasserts the criteria for banning gay men from seminaries. No matter how you interpret his words, they harm and denigrate LGBTQ Catholics.

In Dublin, the rejection of the pope was the reckoning of a people

by Jamie Manson

Aug 29, 2018

Grace on the Margins: During the World Meeting of Families last week, signs that Ireland has indeed moved on from the church of their childhood years could be seen clearly in Dublin's streets, and heard in the voices of the taxi drivers who navigate them.

Chasing rainbows at World Meeting of Families

by Jamie Manson

Aug 24, 2018

Grace on the Margins: If World Meeting of Families organizers had any hope of playing down LGBTQ issues in the church, LGBTQ Catholic activists and their allies dashed those aspirations this week in Dublin.

Columns ›

Column: With his treatment of Cardinal Pell, Pope Francis shows his clericalism

So, what are 'deep-seated homosexual tendencies' anyway?

In Dublin, the rejection of the pope was the reckoning of a people

Chasing rainbows at World Meeting of Families

When in Dublin, Francis should apologize for Magdalene laundries, too

Humanae Vitae's ban on contraception causes suffering

Women and LGBTQ people must find solidarity in struggle for a just church

For LGBTQ Catholics, there is little hope in hearsay

Should women rejoice over 'Gaudete et Exsultate'?

Ecumenical Catholic Communion ordains its first female bishop

Whether Hollywood or the Vatican, patriarchy gives men license to abuse

New scholarship offers hope to women who long to be ordained in Catholic Church

Can Fr. James Martin's bridge hold up?

When women become a clear and present danger at the Vatican

US bishops have much to gain from Trump presidency

Is Pope Francis campaigning for married priests?

Hillary Clinton wants to be president, not your mother

Catholic church's total ban on contraception challenged by scholars

Stop shaming women for seeking equal power in the church

Reform groups challenge U.S. bishops to create 'a church for our daughters'

It's time to be honest about Pope Francis and women

In meeting with Fellay, Pope Francis shows double standard in the 'culture of encounter'

LGBTQ people need justice, not mercy, from Pope Francis

Crèches from the Americas offer an epiphany on migration, social justice

Pages