James Alison & Sarah Bachelard — One in Christ

Two ground breaking Christian thinkers discuss the meaning of homosexuality for today. Why has a natural human orientation so often been cruelly punished and persecuted by church authorities? Why do churches still split over the issue? James and Sarah will explore these questions and suggest how this tragic history in a religion of love can be given a new direction today through intellectual honesty and contemplative wisdom. James is a Catholic priest, theologian and author. His principal work has been as interpreter of the thought of the French thinker René Girard (1923-2015). Author of several books, his most recent publication is a course of introduction to the Christian Faith for adults – Jesus the Forgiving Victim– using Girard’s thought throughout.James is also known as someone who has, firmly but gently, stood up for truthfulness in matters LGBTQI in the life of the Church. Sarah is a theologian, retreat leader and priest in Anglican Orders. She is a member of WCCM and an honorary research fellow at the Australian Catholic University. She also leads Benedictus, an ecumenical contemplative community. Sarah is the author of Experiencing God in a Time of Crisis and Resurrection and Moral Imagination.