NEW YORK (AP) — Even as Catholic dogma continues to repudiate same-sex marriage and gender transition, one of the most prominent religious orders in the United States — the Jesuits — is strengthening a unique outreach program for LGBTQ+ Catholics. James Martin, a Jesuit who is one of the country's most prominent advocates for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. On Tuesday, there was another milestone for Outreach — the appointment of journalist and author Michael O'Loughlin as its first executive director. The latest expansion of Outreach occurs amid a time of division within the global Catholic Church as it grapples with LGBTQ+ issues. “It’s a special grace for LGBTQ Catholics to know that the pope is praying for them," Martin said.

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Persons: James Martin, Michael O'Loughlin, O'Loughlin, “, they’re, ” O'Loughlin, Pope Francis, Martin, ” Martin, “ Pope Francis, Brian Paulson, Jesus, ” Paulson, Martin's, ”, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Tania Tetlow, Archbishop John Wester Organizations: Jesuit, Catholic Church . Outreach, America, Associated Press, Vatican, Outreach, Jesuit Conference of Canada, Fordham University, Church, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: United States, New York City, America, U.S, Africa, Europe, Ireland, New York, Santa Fe , New Mexico