“Who Am I to Judge?” – Catholic Bishop Calls Pope Francis’ Approach to Gay Clergy a ‘Seismic Shift’ in Pastoral Care

Emeritus Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese of Ghana, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, has lauded the late pontiff for his groundbreaking approach to pastoral care, emphasizing the seismic shift Pope Francis initiated in how the Church addresses gay clergy.

In a tribute dated April 22, the Bishop reflected on Pope Francis’ famous statement, “Who am I to judge?”, highlighting it not as a change in doctrine but as a revolutionary shift in pastoral practice that redefined how the Church engages with LGBTQ individuals.

“Your famous response on gay clergy – ‘Who am I to judge?’ – was not a change in doctrine but a seismic shift in pastoral approach,” Bishop Osei-Bonsu wrote.

The tribute, which honors Pope Francis’ remarkable legacy, further underscored how his openness and inclusivity reshaped the Catholic Church’s relationship with those who had traditionally been excluded or marginalized.

Pope Francis was praised for his tireless advocacy for the oppressed, particularly in Africa, where his efforts were profoundly felt. The Bishop recalled the Pope’s courageous trips to war-torn regions and his steadfast support for displaced refugees.

“You were not just a Pope for the Church universal; you were a father also to Africa,” wrote Bishop Osei-Bonsu, celebrating how Pope Francis stood as a voice for the voiceless in regions such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria.

The Bishop noted that one of the most visible images of Pope Francis’ papacy was his ability to engage with people from all walks of life, regardless of faith or background. His visit to the mosque in Bangui and his pleas for peace in war zones demonstrated his relentless pursuit of justice and peace. “You carved a path of peace with your presence,” said the Bishop, illustrating how the Pope’s actions transcended religious boundaries to foster reconciliation.

The Bishop also commended Pope Francis for his emphasis on Africa’s role in the global Church. He celebrated the Pope’s vision of Africa as a “spiritual lung” for humanity, a continent brimming with spiritual vitality despite its many challenges. “You saw Africa as a source of spiritual vitality for the universal Church and as a continent where faith is lived with deep conviction and joy, even amid suffering,” wrote Osei-Bonsu.

Pope Francis’ concern for the environment, especially his call to protect the Congo rainforest as a “green lung of the world,” also featured prominently in the tribute. Bishop Osei-Bonsu applauded the Pope’s advocacy for the preservation of the environment, noting how he urged young Africans to resist exploitative systems and take up the fight against deforestation and environmental destruction.

The tribute further highlighted the Pope’s humility and simplicity, which became hallmarks of his papacy. “You left us a legacy of humility and reform, choosing simplicity not as a gesture but as a lifestyle,” wrote Bishop Osei-Bonsu, noting how Pope Francis lived among the poor, wore simple clothes, and chose to be with those on the margins of society.

He added that Pope Francis “showed us Christ not in jewelled mitres but in the wrinkled feet of Rwandan genocide survivors, in the hard-skinned soles of South Sudanese mothers walking for water.”