Priest’s Gay Wedding Role Evokes Dissension

A priest’s gay wedding role ignited a flame of scandal with the Sacred Heart Church in Suffield, Connecticut.

The Rev. Michael DeVito was admonished by the church after his participation in a cousin’s same-sex wedding, reported NBC Connecticut.

Hartford Archbishop Henry Mansell spoke with DeVito after a wedding announcement had appeared in The New York Times mentioning the priest’s gay wedding role in the August ceremony.

A statement was released by the archdiocese on Thursday:

“Archbishop Henry J. Mansell has met with Father Michael DeVito regarding the priest’s participation in a same-sex marriage ceremony involving a cousin in New York City on August 19th. According to Father DeVito, his participation in the ceremony was limited to doing a reading. He wore no vestments, but had worn his Roman collar. Archbishop Mansell informed Father DeVito that his participation in this ceremony was understandably perceived by many Catholics as an implicit endorsement of same-sex marriage, which is contrary to Church teaching. As a consequence, and in accordance with canon law, the Archbishop formally rebuked Father DeVito and informed him that the rebuke would be a permanent part of his record.”

With the coming election, there has been much talk debate about gay unions and the overall acceptance of homosexuality.

True Colors, a gay and lesbian rights group in Connecticut ,which works specifically with youth, was offended by the comments from the church.

“It sends a message to kids that if you’re gay, you shouldn’t be Catholic,” Robin McHelen of True Colors said.

Although, she admitted, within the confines of established religion, there are implicit rules.

“Every religious faith has its right to its own rules and regulations and belief systems,” McHelen said.

DeVito had indeed pledged to uphold the church’s values. The priest’s gay wedding role will be his last, he said.