Pro-gay James Martin SJ to the fore in U.S. synodality lineup. Francis picked him. He’s F’s fair-h aired boy, all in for DISCERNMENT, a wonderful vehicle and a demanding one . . .,. . . with long Jesuit history and nothing to pull out of a hat, ignoring its demands and history.

Jim Bowman covered religion 1968-78 for the Chicago Daily News, since then has written books, articles, etc., mostly on corporate history but also on religion (Company Man: My Jesuit Life, 1950-1968), and more recently on politics (Illinois Blues: How the Ruling Party Talks to Voters -- Lulu.com, Kindle). Longtime Oak Park, Illinois, resident, he lives now on Chicago's North Side, where four of his and Winnie's six children live close by. View all posts by Jim Bowman