Rev. George Wertin, senior priest at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, is retiring.
Posted on 01/13/2005 1:07:33 PM PST by NYer
Two Minneapolis priests who have led parishes sympathetic to gay and lesbian rights have announced their resignations.
The Rev. George Wertin of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, which has clashed with its archdiocese and some orthodox Catholics in the Twin Cities, announced his retirement Sunday effective July 1. And the Rev. Stephen O'Gara of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle said last week he's leaving March 1.
Both said the timing of their announcements was coincidental, and they assured parishioners that they weren't pressured by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to leave.
Wertin also told his more than 9,000-member parish that his departure after nearly 13 years is unrelated to recent turmoil over gay and lesbian issues regarding his church. He said it's time to move on after 40 years in ministry.
"This is a very difficult decision for me," said Wertin, who will turn 66 next month. "Despite the challenges and controversies -- and in part because of them -- I have found my ministry among you wonderful parishioners to be fulfilling."
While St. Joan's has doubled its parishioners and increased its social awareness during Wertin's tenure, the church has tangled with the archdiocese for years over its sympathetic views and actions on behalf of gay and lesbian Catholics.
In October, Wertin was ordered by the archdiocese to remove Gay Pride material from his parish's Web site after a complaint to church authorities.
The archdiocese also told St. Joan's to stop allowing the unordained to speak at mass. Topics have ranged from scripture to missionary work to homosexuality.
Future violations could have meant Wertin's removal and replacement by the archdiocese.
The larger Catholic Church considers homosexual relations a sin. And some orthodox Catholics oppose gay and lesbian Catholics taking communion.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
The reporter tried a nice spin on this story .... however, since when do priests 'move one'? Lol! Anyone still have a link to the Papal warning issued to this parish?
That's a real problem ... we usually complain about "bad catechesis" in the sense of not teaching anything meaningful. There's also "bad catechesis" in the sense of teaching outright heresy.
Looking at his Church in the photo, it appears as if it would be hard pressed to seat more than 90. No pews.....seats facing each other. Yuck.
I'm sure it has experienced some significant growth in terms of numbers. Not many of them would be traditional families, I'm thinking. Just as there are gay bars, gay resorts and gay towns, there are also gay churches.
The Rev. George looks very nicely co-ordinated with the blue open-neck number and the dark sweater.
You forgot the A(shes) & P(alms) catholics .... (/sarcasm)
In this case it appears the Vatican acted relatively quickly....
-some related threads:
Lesbian Catholic religious education coordinator denied award from the Archdiocese of St. Paul
Minneapolis Catholic Church Censured for Gay Pride Support
Church will obey Vatican's order-Gay pride material to be removed from site
Excellent! Thank you for posting the links.
" No pews.....seats facing each other."
It looks to me as if the photo was taken looking toward the former sanctuary.
The "table" was likely moved forward past the removed Communion rail.
The chairs are likely for the "choir" and other "ministers".
The "audience" likely is seated behind the cameraperson.
http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/gayandlesbianfamilyministry/images/rnbwtile.gif
http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/gayandlesbianfamilyministry/images/tooosgif.gif
Keep him in your prayers! It's so easy to pray for our friends; the challenge is in praying for a conversion of heart. May your prayer be answered!
Roger, that!
Yeah, no kidding.
And some orthodox Catholics oppose gay and lesbian Catholics taking communion.
Some???! How about all orthodox Catholics oppose manifestly obstinate and unrepentant sinners receiving Communion?
It damn sure is not the way a Catholic church is set up, but then again it isn't really Catholic.
Gee, what a shame! uh buh- bye!
They manage it because they hold most of their masses in the school gym. Not becuase they have to or because they couldn't afford to build a big enough church, but because they prefer it that way.
Western Civilisation is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
I love that line, isn't that the truth? Personally, I think we are all working God's last good nerve and if the tsunami didn't wake some people up, then nothing will. But you people just keep doing what you are doing and don't be surprised if there is another "natural catastrophe" that takes out a million people this time. Me, I try to do my best to do right by the man upstairs, the rest of you can do what you want.
Maybe Cleveland is next!!!!???!!!!
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