By Francis X. Maier. But first a note from Robert Royal: We're in the final days of our campaign now and I'd really like to wind things up this Saturday for the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Enough said. Over to all of you who still haven't supported our Catholic Thing.

And: Be sure to tune in tomorrow, Thursday, June 6th at 8 PM Eastern to EWTN for a new episode of the Papal Posse on 'The World Over.' TCT Editor-in-Chief Robert Royal and contributor Fr. Gerald E. Murray will join host Raymond Arroyo to discuss the latest developments in the Church in Rome and in the U.S. Check your local listings for the channel in your area. Shows are usually available shortly after first airing on the EWTN YouTube channel. Another reason why you should support TCT. Now for today's column...

One of the reasons I spent three years writing a recent book on the Church in the United States was to capture the character, challenges, and real concerns of the men who lead us today as bishops. What I found confirmed my more than 40-year career experience. Our bishops have the same strengths and flaws as the rest of us. But they're overwhelmingly good men, faithful to the Church and her teaching, and committed to their people.

Of course, there are always a few outliers who, whatever their good intentions, don't quite fit the mold.

Simply put, no other U.S. bishop in recent memory has diverged so openly from his brother bishops on sensitive issues, or so obviously ignored the protocols of collegiality, than the Diocese of Lexington's John Stowe. Jayd Henricks described the overall pattern of Bishop Stowe's singular leadership in a recent article here. As Henricks - himself a former USCCB senior staffer - noted, Stowe "regularly steps into the most delicate and highly charged cultural and political issues with none of the painstaking care his brother bishops show. He seems determined, in fact, to follow his own blundering impulses, and to kick against the other bishops' pastoral approach whenever it might rein him in."

Henricks went on to note that:

During the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost [May 19], a diocesan-approved hermit under Stowe's jurisdiction "came out" as "transgender." The controversial event immediately made headlines, and Stowe's role gradually came into focus . . . . "On Pentecost Sunday, Brother Christian Matson, a professed hermit in the Diocese of Lexington, has made it public that he is a transgender person," the diocese stated - using male pronouns in reference to the gender-confused woman in question. "Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., accepted his profession [as a religious hermit] and is grateful to Brother Christian for his witness…." Additionally, Matson's application to become a diocesan hermit was "repeatedly rejected" by other bishops in a ten-year search that ultimately found support from Stowe.

There's more, and the Henricks article continues:

"LGBT persons," Stowe wrote in a 2022 essay, "did not choose their identity, but are certain it is an essential part of who they are." Such people "cannot and should not change," he wrote. Stowe's statements on questions of sexual morality and identity contradict the Church's timeless teachings - principles reiterated in increasing frequency both by the Vatican and the USCCB as the LGBTQ movement's aggression against the Church escalates. The Kentucky bishop's pro-LGBTQ principles don't stop at doctrinal opinion, however. He has also repeatedly pushed for policy and law to reflect his rejection of the Church's guidance.

In 2021, Stowe signed a statement shopped around by progressive groups in order to advance the LGBTQ movement among schoolchildren in Catholic institutions such as schools. Also in 2021, Stowe went so far as to publicly endorse the pro-LGBTQ Equality Act, which was an act of almost unprecedented rebellion from the clear policy of the USCCB.

In taking such steps, Bishop Stowe's personal motives are surely honest in their intent. But their practical resul...