The Napa Institute and Tim Busch have done incredible things for the Church in the United States. One of the best things that they do is their annual Eucharistic procession in New York City.
The images that we have seen over the years of thousands of people processing in the heart of New York City with the Holy Eucharist flanked by countless religious and priests is a beautiful example of what this apostolate has been able to do.
Dear friends: I was happy to join in the Eucharistic Procession yesterday, which began at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and processed through Midtown Manhattan, and which was organized by the @NapaInstitute. It was wonderful seeing so many people, even people who might not agree on everything, united around Jesus Christ. At one point, I was invited to carry the monstrance, which was deeply moving. I always try to be a carrier of God’s grace, in whatever way I can, but carrying Christ, really and truly present in the Eucharist, down Broadway, will be something I will never forget. Isn’t it wonderful that Christ can bring us all together?
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) October 14, 2026
Tim Busch, Chairman of the Board and Founder of the Napa Institute, has helped many other good Catholic works, and that should be noted.
That being said, I was in the middle of a retreat for priests at the apparition site of Our Lady of Champion when someone sent me the images of Fr. James Martin holding the Eucharist in downtown New York City as part of Napa’s annual Eucharist procession.
Initially, I thought this had to be a mistake; somehow Fr. Martin, who has caused great scandal among the faithful for his positions on abortion and homosexuality, must have slipped in and unintentionally ended up carrying the monstrance.
But upon further reading of comments from the Napa Institute and Fr. Martin himself, it seems that this is something the organization – or at least certain representatives – sanctioned and welcomed.
Let me tell you why this is wrong.
Yes, we as a Church should be reaching out to people that do not agree with us and are causing scandal.
But to quote the words of Our Lord, “Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7,6.
To be clear:
The pearl is Jesus Christ fully present in the Eucharist.
The swine is neither the heretic Fr. James Martin, nor is it people who live a deviant lifestyle.
The swine is the SIN with which they are engaged.
When a priest lowers himself and tries to make this sin seem acceptable, he has taken his priesthood and put it in the filth of the mud of the pigsty, along with the swine.
For the sake of the faithful who have seen these scandalous images, and out of love for the Church, I would plead Tim Busch and the Napa Institute to come out with an immediate statement apologizing for allowing this priest to carry the Eucharist at this very public moment of prayer.
John Yep
President of Catholics for Catholics
