ABC6 goes one-on-one with new Providence Bishop Lewandowski

Hear the new bishop of the Catholic Providence Diocese speak about immigration, the Iran conflict, LGBTQ acceptance & more

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Five weeks into his tenure, the new bishop of the Diocese of Providence sat down with ABC6 to share more about himself, as well as his thoughts on some of the nation’s most pressing issues.

Growing in rural Ohio, Bishop Bruce Lewandowski said his family was very involved with the church, but he never imagined he would become a bishop.

“It never occurred to me. My whole goal in life was to be a missionary,” Lewandowski said. “I’ve been serving mostly in Hispanic ministry over the last 30-plus years, but never did it occur to me that I would be serving as a bishop.”

Lewandowski previously spent time serving in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, working closely with immigrant communities.

ABC6 asked the bishop for his thoughts on the issue of mass deportations.

“I have a heart for the immigrant community, it’s where I’ve done ministry as a priest. My family is here because they migrated from Poland,” Lewandowski said. “I’m praying for a just immigration reform it’s time for immigration reform.”

A few days after the United States attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, Lewandowski addressed whether he thought it was a good idea to get involved.

“We need to pray for peace and we need to be people of peace,” Lewandowski said. “It starts with us, so I think we should commit ourselves as individuals and a nation to peace building, and that happens through diplomacy, dialogue, conversation, face to face meetings.”

But amid turbulent times for the United States, Lewandowski said the installation of Pope Leo serves as a beacon of hope.

“I didn’t believe it at first, when I first heard his name pronounced as they came onto the balcony right there in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the square,” Lewandowski said. “I heard his name, and I was just dumbfounded, cause I didn’t think any of us ever thought we’d have an American pope.”

Pope Leo took the place of the late Pope Francis, who took unprecedented steps in preaching acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.

As Providence celebrated Pride month, Lewandowski said he was not yet sure what sort of relationship the Diocese will have with the local LGBTQ+ population in Rhode Island.

“Time will tell where we move and what direction,” Lewandowski said. “I think this is certain, Jesus’s love is available to everybody. Everybody should know that the Catholic Church is a welcome place, and that everybody is invited to experience the Lord.”

The bishop said, as he grows accustomed to Rhode Island, he will be working to make his way around the state, getting to know each community individually.

The full unedited interview with Bishop Lewandowski can be viewed below: