Father Andreas Batlogg, S.J.

Austrian theologian Father Andreas Batlogg, S.J., who is the co-editor of The Complete Works of Karl Rahner and also the author of the first German language biography of Pope Leo XIV, was recently interviewed by Matthias Altmann, an editor at Katholisch.de, the national German Catholic news outlet.  They discussed expectations of Pope Leo, particularly focused on how much we might expect the new pontiff to follow his predecessor, Pope Francis.  At one point in the interview, they touched on LGBTQ+ issues. The following paragraphs capture that discussion:

Question: Besides synodality, there are numerous issues within the church. To what extent do you see Leo as the right man for these challenges?

Batlogg: Much of what was addressed or initiated under Francis needs to be further thought through and then completed. The question of how to deal with the Old Rite, the gender issue: none of this can be avoided indefinitely. When Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu says homosexuality is not an issue in Africa, that is simply nonsense. The Pope will need a few more months to get his bearings. I understand that people are now digging up every statement he made at some point as Prior General of the Augustinians or as a bishop, on whatever topic. He even tweeted and contradicted JD Vance. Only he is in a different role now. He will carefully consider how he approaches people. Some are already saying he will keep quiet and avoid problems. I don’t believe that. But the question remains: Does he want to please everyone? In other words: When and how will the lion show its teeth?

Question: Since you mentioned it: There is an earlier statement from him in which he criticizes a homosexual “lifestyle.”  

Batlogg: People are people and don’t choose their sexual orientation for themselves. Whether they are men or women, they don’t want an act of grace or to be tolerated. They want to be accepted. Sexual morality is in flux – a canon lawyer might view this differently than a former Jesuit provincial. The aggressiveness, the militancy, the doggedness with which LGBTQ+ issues are sometimes treated in the Church produces new suffering.

Question: How do you think Pope Leo will deal with this?

Batlogg: I suspect he won’t say something like “Who am I [to judge]?” But I think that someone elected as Pope also grows into his role. If we take our cue from Jesus: What does merciful action mean—not a patronizing one, but one that accepts human dignity and freedom? At the same time, the doctrine is not as immutable as some claim. The Church has said goodbye to many things throughout its history.

Batlogg’s acknowledgement of how “the aggressiveness, the militancy, the doggedness” that some church leaders take toward LGBTQ+ issues is clearly over the top, particularly because these messages translate into real-life suffering of people. I think Pope Francis’ biggest contribution to LGBTQ+ people was his attempt to model kind and welcoming language and behavior for other Catholic leaders.  He had a great effect, buy sadly, so much more needs to be done, even if only in this regard.

The theologian’s last two sentences quoted reminds us all that we should never accept that church doctrine on LGBTQ+ issues can be changed. In a world where facts are becoming increasingly untrustworthy, we must hold onto the historical reality that the church does change.

—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, August 25, 2025

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