Gay ex-NJ governor's path to priesthood is blocked

[cory777]

Source: Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. – Former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who abruptly resigned in 2004 after declaring himself "a gay American" and admitting an extramarital affair with a male staffer, has had his pursuit of the Episcopal priesthood put on hold indefinitely.

The New York Post reported Monday that the church has deferred his bid to join the clergy.

The church, which accepts gays and women into the clergy, wants McGreevey to wait so he can put more distance between his possible ordination and the fairly recent turmoil in his life: his coming out in a nationally televised speech, his resignation and a messy divorce from his wife, Dina Matos, in 2008.

The Rev. William Sachs, director of the Center for Interfaith Reconciliation in Richmond, Va., said it's "not unusual" for people to be deferred. Sachs said church officials would be interested in how someone with McGreevey's baggage would handle the ministry.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mcgreevey_priesthood

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[pnwmom]

1. They probably also figured out about his

narcissistic personality. (Blatantly obvious in his book.) People like that are often drawn to the priesthood.

[AngryAmish]

9. Priesthoods have enough weirdos

[riderinthestorm]

2. 7 years from that episode and that's still not enough time or "distance"?

Sounds more like the church is doing some un-Christlike screening of potential applicants to me.

[pnwmom]

3. The nasty divorce was less than 3 years ago.

There is nothing un-Christlike about the Church screening applicants to make sure that candidates are emotionally healthy. Too many people are drawn to the priesthood ( to representing God, in a way) for the wrong (often narcissistic) reasons.

[riderinthestorm]

4. I saw. It looks as though the divorce was the product of his crisis 7 yrs ago

The ultimate resolution of his divorce 3 years ago was the logical outcome of the initial crisis I presumed. Many high profile divorces take several years to finalize so it's not out of bounds to presume his was part and parcel of his crisis from 7 yrs back.

And I agree, McGreevey is a prime candidate for narcissism of the worst sort and a bully pulpit - literally - would be most attractive for a guy like him.

But still, 7 yrs is a lot of time to do penance. Not sure what else the Episcopal Church is looking for.

[pnwmom]

6. But you answered it yourself. It's not about penance.

The Church is probably not looking for someone with an unhealthy amount of narcissism -- ever. But rather than exposing him publicly, they're giving him an easy out.

[No Elephants]

8. Being in a crisis 7 years ago does not mean you have to be nasty 4 years later.

Maybe he's shown no spiritual growth from the guy who cheated on his wife and told her about it a minute and a half before shoving her in front of cameras to "support" him.

They interviewed him and they don't exclude gays. I'm guessing they concluded he's still a self-centered jerk.

[alp227]

5. yawnnnn...religion

Mr. McGreevey, I appreciate your effort to redeem yourself after that scandal, but you do not need religion to be a good person. That's OK, there's the First Amendment...

[No Elephants]

7. He is one of the most selfish people in politics--and that's going some.

[NJCher]

10. an aside

I think he maintains a p-t teaching job with the state so he can keep his pension.

One day I was driving down Morris Ave and did a double take: I was sure it was McGreevey waiting for the bus. Now, that is a little on the strange side as he lives in So. Plainfield, I think, which is the most inaccessible town ever. Maybe his partner came to pick him up once he arrived at the western end of the bus route.



Cher