Sermon by The Reverend James Alison

James Alison is considered one of the world’s preeminent theologians. Educated at Oxford University, his work focuses on themes of God's unconditional love, listening to voices on the margins, and the importance of embodying the values of grace, forgiveness, and mercy in the Christian community.



In 2009, Alison was dismissed from Catholic clerical status for being gay, forbidding him from teaching, preaching, or presiding. Upon learning this news, Pope Francis called Alison and told him, "I want you to walk with deep interior freedom, following the Spirit of Jesus. And I give you the power of the keys." James resumed his work teaching, writing books, and serving as retreat leader. He is the author of Knowing Jesus, Raising Abel, The Joy of Being Wrong, Faith Beyond Resentment, On Being Liked, Undergoing God, Broken Hearts, and New Creations. James' books have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, Russian, and Portuguese.