Whatever his shortcomings or sins, Fr. Judge died heroically on September 11, 2001 in the line of duty as a chaplain for the New York Fire Department. I won't speculate as to his eternal state, but he should be remembered and honored by the living for his courage, as should the other firemen, policemen, and EMT personnel who died that day.
I guess my problem with Fr. Judge is this. It's not really that he was "gay" etc....but that he worked to tear down Catholic Doctrine of Sexuality......I think the destruction of this doctrine has lead to great evil in the world, promoscuity, the devaluing of life, abortion, std's, the breakdown of family life, divorce, etc.........so for me, his actions on Sept. 11th do not outweigh his destructive actions in taking up the priesthood and then working from the inside to destroy the Church. I feel very strongly on this issue. I believe a man should be remembered the totality of his life, not just the last part. Certainly forgiveness and redemption is an essential part of life and we should not hesitate to extend love and compassion, but it is clear that what Fr. Judge advocated and lived was very dangerous and destructive.
Watson--- You wrote that you knowledge of Judge's pedophilia comes from a "second hand" source, an attorney connected somehow to the Diocese. It seems to me that this source is more removed than second hand (unless he was a witness). It also occurs to me that, if in fact he is an attorney with Church connections, he is a remarkably untrustworthy individual to be discussing these assertions with you (or anyone), especially given your desire to let the world know what you "know" about this dead man.
I agree with that statement.