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Father Gary Meier, St. Louis Catholic Priest, Announces He is Gay
In 2011, a slender book came out called Hidden Voices: Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest. The author was "Anonymous."
"This book is for all of those who are being or have been driven away," reads the introduction. "And that's not just the gay population; it's all of those who have accepted a member of their family, all of those who have allied as friends. They too have been silenced and shamed, ostracized by a Church teaching and hierarchal positioning that will not allow us to support, love, nurture and foster positive gay relationships in our Church."
Earlier this week, Father Gary Meier, most recently of Saints Teresa & Bridget Parish in north St. Louis, revealed that he is the author. Although he says he was never truly "in the closet," the announcement is a form of coming out.
"I know in my heart and my gut I need to stand in solidarity with those who're being fired from their jobs, denied sacrament, excommunicated," he tells Daily RFT.
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/05/father_gary_meier_st_louis_catholic_priest_gay_announcement.php
There are many other priests who are gay - some estimates say a higher percentage of priests are gay than the male population as a whole.
Still, this is an interesting development.
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Father Gary Meier, St. Louis Catholic Priest, Announces He is Gay (Original Post)
UrbScotty
May 2013
OP
rug
(82,333 posts)1. The response from the Archdiocese is interesting.
Fr. Meier has been on leave for the past year for reasons of vocational discernment.
As a man who experiences same-sex attraction, Fr. Meier has before him an opportunity to be an example and mentor to Catholics in the archdiocese who struggle with the same feelings. Whether he will seize this opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Life which offers the truth about the beauty and sanctity of human sexuality, is entirely within is his control.
The Church does not condemn individuals for having same-sex attraction. It teaches that all people are called to responsibility regarding sexuality -- whether they are homosexual or heterosexual, priest or lay person.
Our Catholic faith teaches that we are defined by something far deeper than sexual orientation; rather we are defined by our identity as children of God. We agree with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI when he said, 'Every human being is loved by God the Father. No one need feel forgotten, for every name is written in the Lord's loving heart.' We encourage Catholics and all people of faith to pray for our culture.
As a man who experiences same-sex attraction, Fr. Meier has before him an opportunity to be an example and mentor to Catholics in the archdiocese who struggle with the same feelings. Whether he will seize this opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Life which offers the truth about the beauty and sanctity of human sexuality, is entirely within is his control.
The Church does not condemn individuals for having same-sex attraction. It teaches that all people are called to responsibility regarding sexuality -- whether they are homosexual or heterosexual, priest or lay person.
Our Catholic faith teaches that we are defined by something far deeper than sexual orientation; rather we are defined by our identity as children of God. We agree with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI when he said, 'Every human being is loved by God the Father. No one need feel forgotten, for every name is written in the Lord's loving heart.' We encourage Catholics and all people of faith to pray for our culture.
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/05/father_gary_meier_st_louis_catholic_priest_gay_announcement.php?page=2
The test seems to be celibacy, as it is for heterosexual priests. (Although the discipline imposed on non-celibate gay priests is usually swifter and more severe than it is for non-celibate straight priests.)
It was an open secret that Father Mychal Judge was gay but a case is now being made for his canonization.
http://saintmychaljudge.blogspot.com/
mykpart
(3,879 posts)2. As long as priests are celibate, I fail to see the significance
of whether they are abstaining from sex with women or abstaining from sex with men. Of course, if priests are someday allowed to marry, the question will be relevant.