Dear friends, March 20th, This Week in America interviewed me about what’s leading me to promote an opening in the Catholic Church for some men, in certain circumstances, to be married and serve as priests.  I’ve made it clear that I am not going to contradict Catholic faith and moral teachings, but simply want the discipline of celibacy to no longer be absolutely binding on all those whom God is calling to serve.   This debate has been going on from the beginning in our Church, even though the Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic churches have always permitted marriage.

Since 1980, also, some married ministers who convert to Catholicism from the Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist traditions have been allowed to serve as ordained Catholic priests without renouncing their families or hiding then away.  In fact, the next priest to be ordained after me in our cathedral already had five children.  His wife sat in front, nine months pregnant, and gave birth to their sixth child a week later.  Until he passed away, Fr. Randy served in the prison system and was active in many of our churches.  His wife still teaches in the Cathedral’s elementary school.   They taught us all about how priesthood is not incompatible with family life.

Here are the links, first to the video of this interview, and then to the audio.  Please share them with anyone you wish.  As regards my GoFundMe campaign and the launching of the websites connected to my ongoing mission, please stay tuned.  Everything will begin in April.  God bless you all.  Dean