For months now, LGBT groups both inside and outside the Catholic church have been petitioning for a voice with Pope Francis, but getting ahold of a megaphone has been 

Democratic mayoral nominee Jim Kenney penned a simultaneously aggressive and defensive op-ed for the Philadelphia Gay News, in which he encourages Mayor Michael Nutter to welcome the Pope “without condoning discrimination.”

Much of Kenney’s ire stems from an LGBT advocacy group known as Equally Blessed. Last month, the Catholic Church refused the organization of a space for their gatherings during the World Meeting of Families next week. The city, Kenney says, should be stepping up to defend its minorities.

From his op-ed:

During his trip to Philadelphia, the pope will visit a prison, Independence Hall and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, in addition to attending a number of private receptions. The city could certainly facilitate an opportunity at any one of those events, public or private, for LGBT Catholics to speak to the pope and make their case for inclusion.

Alternatively, the city could borrow a play from President Obama’s recent trip to Kenya, in which he condemned the government for their treatment of LGBT citizens during a press conference with the country’s leadership. Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter and the pope will no doubt have public or at least private face time. I urge the mayor to use that as an opportunity to make a stand on behalf of the LGBT Philadelphians who elected him.

Kenney, a devout Catholic, says he wants to put aside his critical relationship with the Church. The focus, he says, should be making sure the city itself doesn't sacrifice its principles "for the limelight" of prestigious events like the papal visit, or the Democratic National Convention which will come to Philadelphia in 2016.

Read the full op-ed here.