December 15, 2005
THE HONORABLE THING TO DO:
St. John's campus ministry director quits over Vatican teaching on homosexuality (Warren Wolfe, December 16, 2005, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
The chaplain and director of campus ministry at St. John's University, a Catholic school in Collegeville, Minn., said today that he has resigned because, "as a celibate gay priest, I cannot understand, much less support, the church's teaching about homosexuality."The Rev. Bob Pierson, 49, said his decision came in response to a new teaching from the Vatican two weeks ago that said most gay men should be barred from the priesthood and from seminaries. He will leave his position Jan. 15.
"For quite some time I have wrestled with conflicting teaching by the church -- that gays and lesbians are to be respected, but that somehow we are not fit for work in the church," said Pierson, who announced his decision in an e-mail message Wednesday to staff and students.
"But with the new teaching, which says gay men are 'objectively disordered' and cannot relate properly to men and women, it became clear to me that I cannot continue in campus ministry," Pierson said. "I have chosen not be dishonest about my thoughts and feelings."
Not all will have a taste for the mustard seed. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 15, 2005 3:22 PM
Since being gay is defined and determined by the physical act, I don't see how it is possible to be a "celibate gay".
Posted by: ray at December 15, 2005 6:06 PMSince Collegeville was one of the most scandalous centers of sexual abuse by gay monks and priests, it's surprising he can't understand the Church's position.
Posted by: pj at December 15, 2005 6:50 PMGood for you, Ray. What is Rev Bob trying to say? May G-d spare us from celibate priests of any persuasion rushing to the nearest microphone to complain they are being discriminated against sexually.
Posted by: Peter B at December 15, 2005 7:38 PMUmmm, Ray and Peter, would you say a celibate virgin heterosexual was not really a heterosexual because they hadn't performed the act that defines and determines heterosexuality? The Rev's statement seems understandable and unremarkable to me.
Posted by: PapayaSF at December 15, 2005 11:58 PMPapayaSF -- I don't go around calling myself a "heterosexual", but a man. (What real man does? Sheesh...) "Homosexual" is defined solely by having sex with the same gender. Period.
Deviance is defined by deviant acts. The priest will be more than welcome in the Anglican or United churches. And if he believes the RC church is the final arbiter of salvation, then he should change his ways, otherwise he doesn't believe in anything at all.
Posted by: Randall Voth at December 16, 2005 3:45 AMby "celibate" this fellow really means "between altar boys"
Posted by: toe of doom at December 16, 2005 4:53 AM