Author Behind Book on the Life of a Gay Catholic Priest ‘Comes Out’

Fr. Gary Meier

Readers of the book Hidden Voices: Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest knew the 2011 work’s author only as “Anonymous” until last week. Fr. Gary Meier has come out as the author of the book, which is being re-released to include his name.

Hidden Voices is introduced with an explanation of why the author published it in 2011:

“This book is for all those who are being or have been driven away. And that’s not just the gay population; it’s all of those who have accepted a member of their family, all of those who have allied as friends.”

In U.S. Catholic, Fr. Meier spoke about his decision to now go public as a gay priest:

“‘It has been difficult to remain part of a hierarchy that has been so hostile towards homosexuals in recent years… Our church once stood for and represented the radical nature of God’s love for all people. That is not the true today – especially towards the LGBT community – and therefore I feel compelled to stand in solidarity with those Catholics who have lost their jobs, have been denied the sacraments, have been excommunicated or who have been made to feel “less than” by their church leaders because of who they love.'”

Fr. Meier is a priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which responded ambiguously in a statement after the priest’s gay and literary identity was made public. The statement called on Fr. Meier to become an example for those who “struggle” with “same-sex attraction.” U.S. Catholic notes this limited acceptance might change as the story spreads:

“Regardless of what the archdiocese says, the floodgates are likely to open and Meier will undoubtedly receive some harsh criticism from many in the church. Some will probably call for him to be dismissed from the priesthood or banned from public ministry.”

Terence Weldon at Queering the Church helpfully sets Fr. Meier’s coming out within the broader context of gay Catholic priests today, and he addresses the archdiocese’s urging for him to be a ‘model’:

“In the Catholic Church, there is likewise a high proportion of gay priests…a slowly increasing trickle of priests are coming out, acknowledging their orientation, and publicly identifying as gay – but also insisting on their celibacy…The number of Catholic priests who have come out publicly is still minute – but very many more have at least begun  the process. Many of them will continue, taking it further. In years to come, openly gay priests will not be anywhere near as rare as they are today…

“In the Catholic Church, the orthodox teaching is crystal clear that to be homosexual is entirely natural and not in any way sinful – but this message is often obscured, so that young people do not receive it, experiencing instead only the perception of outright rejection. What better way can there be, to demonstrate emphatically that gay people truly are welcome in the Church than to have one of us at the altar, as celebrant?…

“The more that priests like Fr Meier, and other gay and lesbian Catholics, can come out and demonstrate the value for ourselves in obeying the Catechism, and integrating our sexuality into our personalities, the easier it will be for younger people who grappling with these issues to deal with them.”

For his part, Fr. Meier looks forward hopefully with the release of Hidden Voices ascribed to him, which he admits on his personal website is uncharted territory:

“I am not sure where exactly any of this will lead. It is a huge leap of faith and to be perfectly honest with you, very frightening. I know that while many will celebrate and be grateful for this publication, others will be angry and upset and feel as if I am betraying the church. I have no such intention. I am just a man trying to live a life of integrity and speak the truth that God has given me to speak.”

To hear more from Fr. Meier himself, views this YouTube video from Rising Voices:

New Ways Ministry applauds Fr. Gary Meier for his courage in writing Hidden Voices and coming out now as an openly gay Catholic priest, and we send our prayers as this leap of faith begins to unfold further.

–Bob Shine, New Ways Ministry

9 replies
  1. tomfluce
    tomfluce says:

    Terrence, you say, “”In the Catholic Church, the orthodox teaching is crystal clear that to be homosexual is entirely natural and not in any way sinful – but this message is often obscured, so that young people do not receive it, experiencing instead only the perception of outright rejection.” You’re wrong and what you’re describing is a genuine “Catch 22” situation. Wikipedia says, “A catch-22 is a paradoxical situation in which an individual cannot or is incapable of avoiding a problem because of contradictory constraints or rules.[1] Often these situations are such that solving one part of a problem only creates another problem, which ultimately leads back to the original problem. Catch-22s often result from rules, regulations, or procedures that an individual is subject to but has no control over.

    So Catechism #2357,8,9 say in a crystal clear manner that homosexual acts are gravely sinful. This is why the church is caught between the “devil and the deep blue sea”, having to uphold the law about the sin while at the same time trying to “love the sinner.” Ridiculous Catch-22 situation. Not necessary in the 21st century.

    There is another way to approach this. Now after a long while trying, I have to say that I’ve failed miserably. Maybe the idea doesn’t have any value. But here I go again. “THE GALILEO RECONCILIATION COMMISSION”. Change the doctrine. Yes, do all the witnessing about us LGBT’s being good. Keep calling for the church to show love and respect. BUT CHANGE THE DOCTRINE! CTD!

    How? Well it’s no more hopeless than trying to get change about the way we are still treated, not just by the “hierarchy” but by oodles and oodles of believing Catholics. So get all the genuine of heart, the simple faithful, to sit down and recognize that we have a SERIOUS DISSENT in the Church, not unlike Paul’s dissent with Peter, or the laity with the hierarchy on the issue of the Nicene Creed. And then the crusades, the witches, and, of course GALILEO. Can’t we find a better way to dissent based on love? Can’t we suspend violent actions/words in order to cause the least harm to everyone?

    BTW several priests from my class –1963, North American College/Gregorian U, Rome–“came out” but made it clear they were faithful celibates and so they continued their priesthood. Of course lately that has changed in at least one case where an archbishop threatened withdrawal of pension and health benefits.

    THE GALILEO RECONCILIATION COMMISSION–LOVING DISSENT–LEAST HARM. ANY TAKERS? LET’S PUT OUR ENERGIES INTO THIS INSTEAD OF GETTING STUCK IN THE CATCH 22 MERRY-GO-ROUND. IT TAKES PUBLIC WITNESS, DIRECT ACTION. COME ON!

    Reply
  2. Alecia
    Alecia says:

    This is wonderful! The Church and her people need to dialog about this issue. The conspiracy of silence is not helpful. How can the Church pastorally minister to gay Catholics and their families if whom they love is deemed as sinful and unnatural and a “lifestyle choice”? This lack of understanding and condemnation is sending a very painful message to LGBT youth and not at all what Jesus would do. He loved and welcomed all especially the marginalized of his day.

    Reply
  3. Scott Alessi
    Scott Alessi says:

    Thanks for linking to our blog post about Father Gary Meier at U.S. Catholic. We would like to note a correction, however: U.S. Catholic did not conduct an interview with Father Meier. The quote we included from him was taken from a statement that he released and posted on his own website.

    Reply

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  1. […] Fr. Gary Meier, St. Louis Archdiocese priest, comes out as a gay man and reaches out to LGBT Catholics.  4% […]

  2. […] Gary Meier, who recently ‘came out’ as an openly gay Catholic priest, has called on Catholics to celebrate these decisions (and more so, to celebrate the couples behind […]

  3. […] Author Behind Book on the Life of a Gay Catholic Priest ‘Comes Out’(newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com) […]

  4. […] Last week, we reported on the story of Fr. Gary Meier, a St. Louis archdiocese priest who came out as gay by publishing a memoir, Hidden Voices: Reflections of a Gay, Catholic Priest.  […]

  5. […] Author Behind Book on the Life of a Gay Catholic Priest ‘Comes Out’ (newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com) […]

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