As with the Obergefell decision, this ruling also affords the church an opportunity to reimagine its public witness.

The decision was for two consolidated cases about fired gay employees and a separate case concerning a fired transgender worker who had sued for employment discrimination after being fired.

New ministries are trying to help Latino L.G.B.T. Catholics and their families understand each other by working at the intersection of faith, culture and sexuality, reports J.D. Long-García. The first step is talking openly and honestly.

Francis showed his support through the papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the administrator of the pope’s charitable work, who wired money to the transgender community late last week.

With the addition of two appointees of President Donald Trump, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the court seems poised to extend protections for religious objections to anti-discrimination laws.

The challenges notwithstanding, Joseph Caldwell presents his life as a Catholic as a gift.