Coming out for workers’ rights

Last week our friends at New Ways Ministry reported on two stories of courageous clergy who are openly gay. Ben wrote a letter to Pope Francis explaining why the firings of his LGBT brothers and sisters has led him to leave his ministry as a Jesuit. Fr. Andre has publicly explained why it is important for gay priests like himself to be open about their sexual orientation. Both these men have courageously opened up about what it's like to be a gay priest, and why it is important that they stand in solidarity with LGBT Catholics everywhere.  

"As an openly gay man, I’ve spent the past 10 years pursuing the priesthood in the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). I am full of gratitude for this time. I loved being a Jesuit, a son of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This July, I left the Jesuits in good standing," writes Ben. "Today, I can no longer justly or freely pursue ordination to the priesthood as a gay man in a Church where gay men and lesbian women are being fired from their jobs."

Priests, who are themselves Church workers, often live closeted lives because they fear the response of their parishes, noted Fr. Andre. "I would like to see the Catholic church recognize that many of its priests are gay and many of its bishops are gay — and that’s OK," he said, noting that living in fear isn't healthy.

Head over to the New Ways Ministry blog to read Ben's beautiful, and painful, letter to Pope Francis explaining his struggle to reconcile his vocation to the priesthood with the unjust firings of LGBT workers in his Church and Fr. Andre's inspiring advocacy of a priesthood that can celebrate the wholeness of its gay members.