Its the age old distinction between the majority and the repressed minority. Of course it's no big deal to meet a heterosexual priest (or fireman or policeman or whatever), since heterosexuals are in the vast majority. It's understood in many ways - so the issue of the priest's sexuality isn't an issue. But if you are the member of a maligned minority and an example of someone like you does something with honor, dignity and courage publicly - the natural and understandable reaction would be to publicly rally behind that person.
You mean like a pedophile?