Rumors can be misleading (Rochester bishop offers comfort to homosexual priests)

Some years ago -- at least 10, I think -- two of our diocesan priests told me that they are homosexual. They came in separately and, as far as I know, neither of them was aware of the other’s visit. I do recall that each said his decision to come out to me was prompted, at least in part, by something I had written in “Along the Way.”

In that particular column, I had referred to a priest from another diocese who told me he had finally told his parents that he was gay. He was elated that his parents took that occasion, so sensitive to him, to reaffirm their love and support of him. I wrote that this man -- whom I had known for years -- had never told me before that he was gay. Telling me that he had told his parents was the man’s way of telling me!

In any case, the two priests of our diocese told me that they are homosexual, and I am glad that they did. It seemed a great relief to them that their bishop -- to whom they are so closely bound in priestly identity and ministry -- should be aware of this important aspect of their personal reality. I know that I was deeply gratified that they entrusted me with that information. I had come to know and admire them through years of shared ministry. Their simplicity and honesty with me only deepened my regard for them.

In the years since, a few other priests -- religious and diocesan priests, here and elsewhere -- have chosen to tell me the same thing. In each case, I have admired their honesty and felt enriched by their trust and confidence.

Lately, I have thought a lot about these friends and prayed for them in a particular way. I have also prayed for priests who are gay but who are not ready or feel no need to tell me about their sexual orientation.

I have thought about and prayed for these men because I know that two recent developments have caused them a lot of pain. One is the Vatican-sponsored Seminary Visitation program now in progress. The other is a long-rumored document from the Congregation for Catholic Education about the admission of gay men as candidates for the priesthood.

Allow me to offer observations about some of the themes and concerns the confluence of these related but distinct elements have raised. My intent is not to deal with all of the questions that could be addressed. That would be impossible here. I wish only to encourage all to be patient with the process of the visitation and fair in the reading of the rumored document, if and when it is published.

1) The priests to whom I referred above love Christ, the church, their ministry and the people they serve. They take seriously their priestly obligations including that of celibate chastity. To read reports in the press, however unsubstantiated those reports may be, that homosexuals will be declared unacceptable as candidates for priesthood is a source of great pain for them and for all of us who know and love them.

2) The Instrumentum Laboris or guiding paper from the Seminary Visitation speaks about the role each bishop has vis-à-vis his seminarians: The bishop will ensure that the seminarians form mature and balanced personalities, are capable of establishing and maintaining sound human and pastoral relationships, are knowledgeable in theology and the living tradition of the church, have a solid spiritual life, and are in love with the church.

3) This wide range of goals or challenges for priestly formation applies to any candidate for priesthood, whether homosexual or heterosexual. The fundamental concern of formation for a life of celibate chastity is for sexual maturity, not sexual orientation. Good seminary formation needs to provide an environment in which both heterosexual and homosexual candidates can grow to commit themselves wholeheartedly, even joyfully, to chaste and faithful celibacy.

4) Critically important as it is, we should remember that formation for a life of celibacy is not the only, or even the primary, issue here. The task of seminaries is much wider than that. Their task is to form candidates toward intellectual, emotional, psychosexual, spiritual and pastoral maturity, regardless of the sexual orientation of the candidate.

* homosexual priests who spend themselves each day in faithful, loving ministry to God’s holy people. We deeply value your ministry.

* to gay young men who are considering a vocation to priesthood. We try to treat all inquiries fairly. You will be no exception.

* to all who may have been confused or misled by premature and narrow reporting of the visitation and rumored document. It is always better to deal with fact than with rumor and half-truths.

Bishop supports gay priests in writing

Clark asserts in weekly column that diocese still welcomes them

Marketta Gregory
Staff writer

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051115/NEWS01/511150330

(November 15, 2005) — While the world awaits a controversial Vatican document that could ban gays from the priesthood, Bishop Matthew Clark assured gay priests and seminarians on Sunday that they are welcome in Rochester's Roman Catholic diocese.

"We deeply value your ministry," Clark wrote in his weekly column in the Catholic Courier, referring to priests who are gay and dedicate their lives to service. And to gay men considering becoming priests: "We try to treat all inquiries fairly. You will be no exception."

Clark was at a meeting of bishops in Washington, D.C., and couldn't be reached on Monday, but his column, which is distributed at parishes throughout the 12-county diocese, was apparently sparked by his concern over two recent events: Vatican officials visiting seminaries to study how students are being prepared for priesthood and a life of celibacy; and the soon-to-be-released Vatican document that deals with whether gay men should be allowed to become priests.

The content of the Vatican document has provided grist for the rumor mill. Some media reports claim the document, which was years in the making, dissuades gays from joining the priesthood; others say it gives bishops authority to look at each applicant on a case-by-case basis. Regardless, people in the pews are talking about it.

"I was really stunned that the bishop is basically saying that he is going to defy the Holy See," said Andrew Dick, a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in Rochester who believes the document may state that gays can't be priests. "(The bishop is) obligated and all Roman Catholics are obligated to follow the directions of the pope. The thing that really struck me is he's pretty much saying, 'I'm not going to do that.'"

Jamie Fazio has a different interpretation of what the pope wants.

"I think what the pope wants is good priests," said Fazio, a Catholic who worked with an openly gay priest in Utica — a priest he and his wife thought enough of to choose as their daughter's godfather. Fazio is now a campus minister at Nazareth College and pastoral associate at Blessed Sacrament in Rochester.

"A gay sexual orientation only adds an ability to serve a wider group of people," Fazio said, adding that many people who are gay feel alienated by government, families and church. "I think (the bishop's column) was very much needed."

The content of Clark's column doesn't come as a total surprise to those who have watched his ministry for years. He celebrated a Mass with gays and lesbians, something he is still criticized for years later. He defended the Rev. Charles Curran, a priest whose writings on abortion and homosexuality drew attention, and eventual censure, from the Vatican — in particular from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who is now Pope Benedict XVI. Also in the mid-1980s, Ratzinger's office ordered Clark to remove his imprimatur from a book, Parents Talk Love: The Catholic Family Handbook About Sexuality, saying that it differed from the church's teachings by adopting a more tolerant attitude on homosexuality, contraception and masturbation.

"When I first read (Sunday's column), I can't say that I was shocked," said Mary Burke, a parishioner at St. Jude the Apostle in Gates, "but I was very sad to have read that particular insight into what is going on in our diocese."

In the past few years, several priest abuse scandals have been uncovered and some of those, particularly the ones involving older boys, are linked to priest homosexuality, Burke alleged.

"I can't speak against the bishop because he is our bishop," Burke added. "He has to answer to higher authority. If the Holy Father has come to the conclusion that there have to be changes in regard to gay priests, then he should be obedient."

The column speaks for itself, said Doug Mandelaro, spokesman for the diocese. "The bishop writes from his heart. ... He is trying to be Christ-like and live out the words of Christ's commandment to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor."

That pleases the Rev. James Schwartz, pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Penfield and director of seminarians for the diocese.

"I know Bishop Matthew and I know his genuine pastoral care for everyone," he said.

"We really need to speak pastoral support to people who are gay. We need to affirm them and not to do otherwise."

MGREGORY@DemocratandChronicle.com

"A gay sexual orientation only adds an ability to serve a wider group of people," Fazio said, adding that many people who are gay feel alienated by government, families and church. "I think (the bishop's column) was very much needed."

Oh, brother! So, following that logic, if one is a pedophile priest, an even wider group of people can be reached, no? Does one need to be a thief, or a murderer, or an adulterer or a homosexual to "serve" the people afflicted with the propensity for these sins? Of course not.

This Jamie Fazio character needs some SERIOUS remedial catechesis! How on earth is he a campus minister at Nazareth College and a "pastoral associate" at a Rochester parish? It's bad enough that he's a layman filling these rolls - sort of makes the vocations crisis under Clark really hit home - but, as a person responsible, to some degree, for the souls to whom he "ministers," his outlook is spiritual poison for everyone within earshot of him.

If the Holy Father has come to the conclusion that there have to be changes in regard to gay priests, then he should be obedient."

Amen!

I've been around gay priests. They 'function' as priests but there is something lacking. I recall the (gay) pastor at my (now former) parish being asked by the more 'orthodox' parishioners, to have Eucharistic Adoration. A book was set up into which those who could, committed time to be spent in church. I chose the last hour. Entering the church, I looked towards the altar for the monstrance. All I saw was what looked like a small box. Upon closer examination, I realized that the box was the monstrance.

More worshipers arrived as the final service drew near. When Father held up the Monstrance, he wore his 'professional face' but he rushed the blessing. Afterwards, I asked another parishioner if we could take up a collection to buy a better monstrance for the parish. She told me the parish had several beautiful ones.

I'm not trying to be picky but this gay pastor has grown that parish to the point where he had to expand the parking lot. Yet when I pleaded with him to replace the Risen Christ with a Crucifix, he commented: "Christ was only on the cross for 3 hours but He is risen forever". My jaw dropped! And on those occasions when there was a Crucifix (Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross), he always looked uncomfortable ... not "in control".

Just some comments for what they are worth.

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