Bishop: Pope Francis Inspired Me to Listen to LGBTQ+ Catholics

Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. revealed that Pope Francis was his inspiration to listen more closely to LGBTQ+ Catholics.

In a reflection published on the Outreach website, the bishop of  Lexington, Kentucky explains that  Francis “walked the talk” by applying his Jesuit formation to his pastoral ministry. Francis, Stowe writes, “begins with the cura personalis, the concern for the person, before looking at the class or category to which one belongs. Pope Francis sought to form pastors ready to accompany people and discern with them how to be better disciples.”

Bishop John Stowe speaking at New Ways Ministry’s 2017 Symposium

Francis’ example, and his declaration of 2016 as an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, motivated Stowe to accept New Ways Ministry’s invitation to speak at our 2017 National Symposium.  

The bishops describes his impression of the event: 

“I was not at all surprised to find an audience of fervent believers formed in the richness of our Catholic faith, who were eager to hear a word of affirmation and to know that they are seen and cared for. I found that a simple reflection on Jesus’ actions on the margins, and the criticism he received, resonated profoundly with this LGBTQ community and their loved ones.”

After speaking at the symposium, Stowe received an “avalanche of emails from across the country and beyond, demanding to know whether I proclaimed solid church teaching when addressing New Ways, I had no difficulty in affirming that I had.”

Stowe elaborated on the meaning of this response: 

“I believe that what they were really asking was whether I pronounced judgment on their ‘lifestyle’ and whether I reiterated the condemnation of sexual activity outside of sacramental marriage. But this audience was all too familiar with the catechism’s description of homosexual acts as gravely sinful and disordered, but they hadn’t heard nearly enough of the same catechism’s affirmation of their dignity as beloved children of God who should be protected from discrimination.”

Stowe also received word from the Papal Nuncio to the United States, who noted the complaints his office has received concerning Stowe’s address. After a period of discernment, the bishop decided to “respond straightforwardly and describe how I was doing exactly what Pope Francis had called for in the Year of Mercy. This was affirmed by the nuncio with words of gratitude.”  He continued:

“But the far greater gratitude came from many LGBTQ Catholics who simply felt seen, acknowledged and affirmed in their dignity and their pilgrimage of faith.

–Jeromiah Taylor, New Ways Ministry, April 29, 2025

Further reading on Bishop Stowe:

Bondings 2.0:  SYMPOSIUM: Kentucky Bishop Speaks Out Against Church Firings of LGBT People

Bondings 2.0: Bishop John Stowe Receives New Ways Ministry Award Offering Message of Resilience

To view Bishop Stowe’s speech as he accepted New Ways Ministry’s Bridge Building Award in 2024,  click the image below.