Religion News Service reports:

Pope Francis sent a letter praising the work of a Jesuit priest who has been an outspoken advocate for more respectful treatment of LGBTQ people within the Catholic Church, in which the pontiff described Father James Martin’s work as imitating the “style of God.”

The letter, written in Spanish and dated June 21, was in response to a communique sent to Francis by Martin that referenced the Outreach LGBTQ Ministry Conference, a gathering focused on Catholic LGBTQ issues hosted virtually by Fordham University this weekend.

Read the full article. As you may know, Martin has long been a target of anti-LGBT activists and hate groups. His speeches are often protested in person by groups such as the red-caped Catholic loons.