Lexington Catholics talk about their bishop

Gainer’s stances please many conservatives. But other Catholics say Gainer has set the wrong tone since his February 2003 installation, warning dissenters and purging liberals from leadership posts.

The new bishop has been criticized for removing about half of the top-ranking women from leadership positions at the diocesan center — women who had been advocates for greater non-clergy involvement.

He also angered some Catholics by issuing a written “warning” to pro-choice Catholic politicians in January, and by suggesting in June that they refrain from taking communion.

While critics acknowledge that the Catholic church is not a democracy, they say Gainer should get more input before making sweeping changes.

“It’s almost a fundamentalist approach to say ‘There’s only one way. It’s my way. Don’t ask any questions,'” said Jim Call, a lifelong Catholic and a member of Good Shepherd Parish in Frankfort.