The New Pope!

With the new Pope coming from America he brings with him some interesting ideas!

Pope Leo names LGBTQ+ inclusion champion Oregon bishop

The National Catholic Reporter

By Aleja Hertzler-McCain

July 11, 2025

Bishop-designate Thomas Hennen was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, on July 10. At age 47, Hennen will be the youngest bishop leading a U.S. diocese.

Hennen's ministry to LGBTQ+ people has seen mixed reactions about his pastoral approach.

[...]

Bishop-designate Thomas Hennen was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, on July 10. At age 47, Hennen will be the youngest bishop leading a U.S. diocese.

Hennen's ministry to LGBTQ+ people has seen mixed reactions about his pastoral approach.

Hmm... very interesting!

But some voices on both the left and the right have claimed Hennen's bishop appointment as a win for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church, particularly because of his participation on a Davenport diocesan committee that in 2023 released guidelines for pastoral issues surrounding "sexual and gender minorities," which were praised by some LGBTQ+ Catholics and advocates.

And us?

"Our transgender siblings should be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity," Hennen said in an article in the diocesan newspaper. "Are there some appropriate accommodations that we could make as a Church that neither 'sell out' on our beliefs nor slam the door in the face of transgender persons? I think there may be."

Meanwhile the conservative Bishops don't like this one bit...

Bishop Joseph Strickland — who was removed as leader of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, by Pope Francis, after Strickland made accusations against the pope and allegedly mismanaged the diocese — reacted to Hennen's appointment on X, saying that Leo was "doubling down" on Francis' promotion of "the Lavender Mafia — a clandestine network within the Church hierarchy that protects and advances a homosexual ideology while masquerading under the banner of compassion."

I think that this new pope bears watching, time will tell! To see if it is all lip service? To see how he handles the conservative Bishops? And to see how he treat us trans people, how supportive of us he is.

New Ways Ministry writes,

Since the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, very little has been known about the pope’s approach to LGBTQ+ issues. However, Leo’s latest episcopal  appointment may provide insight into the pontiff’s leanings on LGBTQ+ pastoral care.

[...]

Hennen’s LGBTQ+ record includes participation at a 2023 diocesan assembly on LGBTQ+ ministry. At the meeting, Hennan alluded to his work with the apostolate Courage, sharing how that collaboration was his first real pastoral exposure to LGBTQ+ people. Courage is an apostolate that has as one of its goals  promoting celibacy  for gay and lesbian Catholics. This ministry is controversial, with many Catholics criticizing its narrow approach. Dignity/Detroit executive director Frank D’Amore compared the group to an “insulting” 12-step program, while former Irish Prime Minister Mary McAleese called Courage “Machiavellian, dangerous and deliberately specious”. 

Discussing his work with Courage, Hennen shared that he was initially afraid of stigma and unsure how he would relate to a group made up primarily of gay men. But after meeting the attendees, Hennan learned that “I am not very different from these people. I am very much like these people.” Hennan added that he was “amazed” and “edified” by their faith. In his remarks, Hennan used the acronym “LGBTQ+” as well as the term“same-sex attraction,” often seen by gay/lesbian people as a belittling term.

And trans people? I see a lot about gay men, but how does that care over to us?

At the time they were issued Brennan explained to the Davenport diocese’s newspaper, The Catholic Messenger, that the process of listening to transgender people transformed the entire endeavor:

“The more we talked about it and met with people who are transgender or whose loved ones are transgender, we came to understand them a little better and how they were feeling. It was very humanizing. Our approach to this issue has evolved. We’re probably leaning toward developing a statement rather than a policy.” 

Interestingly, those comments align with the bishop-elect’s description of his time with Courage, where personal encounters with LGBTQ+ people released him from pre-conceived notions and defensive stances.

I just don't know, he seems open to us but what make me wonder is "Courage is an apostolate that has as one of its goals  promoting celibacy  for gay and lesbian Catholics.' So are we supposed to keep our legs crossed and stay in the closet?