coming out of the sacristy closet

A week ago, Archbishop William Levada, now the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and archbishop-emeritus of San Francisco, said in a homily at a Mass for the installation of the new rector of Rome's Pontifical North American College:

"I think we must ask, 'Does such a priest [who announces to his parish his homosexual orientation] recognize how this act places an obstacle to his ability to represent Christ the bridegroom to his bride, the people of God? Does he not see how his declaration places him at odds with the spousal character of love as revealed by God and imaged in humanity?'"

"It is important for our people to hear us priests preach and teach about the fundamental character of God's love imprinted upon humanity in the original act of creation: 'God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.'

"It is here that we find the basis for church teaching about marriage and about the family."

"It is here, too, that we find the basis for church teaching about homosexuality and the reason why proposals for recognition of homosexual marriage are contrary to sacred Scriptures and the natural law."

With that in mind, now consider this....

Over a month ago a priest here in the Bay Area announced to his congregation at all of the Sunday Masses that he is gay.

And Fr. Rich Danyluk's announcement was greeted by his parishioners with applause and approval.

Said one of his parishioners, "I think Rich is thinking about the pain and suffering real people have who have experienced discrimination in society at large, and he's saying God is with you in that….I can only say that the congregation is hearing him say, 'God loves you as you are and accepts you as you are.'"