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On Saturday, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at St Peter’s Basilica in Italy. Meanwhile in Minnesota, Catholics are remembering his impact. 

, a Minnesota chapter of Dignity USA, has been fighting to change the stance of the Catholic Church on homosexuality for years. Brian McNeill, who leads that organization, said that while Pope Francis preached acceptance, he did not do enough for LGBTQ+ community. 

“I don’t see him as a champion,” said Brian McNeill, president of Dignity Twin Cities. “He really stretched to try to help us feel welcome. But he didn’t — he did not change any official church teaching on LGBTQ people and homosexuality.” 

In 1992, then Pope Benedict XVI wrote an 

 citing homosexuality as “intrinsically disordered” and “in no case to be approved of.”

“That language still stands. It’s in the Catholic Catechism,” McNeill said. “We are hoping that a pope would would change that language to be to be more positive, be more welcoming, be more understanding.”

McNeill said that although Pope Francis didn’t shift the official stance of the Vatican, his advocacy for the decriminalization of homosexuality worldwide made large strides for those in the LGBTQ+ community. He said he hopes whoever takes over the papacy can “stand up to” conservatism in the church. 

To listen to the full conversation with Brian McNeill, president of Dignity Twin Cities, click the player above.

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Lukas Levin

Author

Gracie  Stockton

A Twin Cities Catholic advocacy group does not see Pope Francis as a “champion” of LGBTQ+ rights, but acknowledges his willingness to lend an ear to the community. 

Minnesota LGBTQ+ advocacy group reacts to Pope Francis’ legacy

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