The Ecumenical OPD Community prays for an end to discrimination of any kind. We believe that Love knows no bounds and that LGBT brothers and sisters are a beautiful ray of light in the rainbow of life.
"...I have been asked a lot of questions about different ministries of the OPD and most of those questions concern the gay outreach ministry I engage in... I think it’s important to talk about that. Many of you have asked that I explain my reasons for engaging that particular ministry as a bishop and I will consider that request only because of the current lack of understanding in the community about sexual morality issues. I will preach more about this topic in the future, but for now I want to give you my personal response to the same question I ask the new kids who join the bible study I conduct in the gay outreach ministry:
'How have you dealt with your own sexuality? Do you believe that your sexuality is in conformity with God’s Love and God’s plan in your life?'
I think it’s more appropriate to say that my sexuality has dealt with me. ...I have come to understand that one can neither deny nor succumb to his sexuality. Saint Dominic tells that we must be in control of our passions or they will control us. In the same way Paul reminds us that whereas everything is “lawful” for him, not everything is beneficial. The Apostle makes it clear that he will not permit anything but the Love of God in Christ to dominate him.
I have come to appreciate my sexuality as a gift from God. I can also see how evil can pervert this gift. I have seen what can happen when purely sexual desires cloud one’s decisions and determine one’s actions. The outcome is usually far removed from the presence of God. I am in a place right now where I am wholly comfortable with my sexuality and embrace it; however sexual desire and sexual activity have become so less important than doing the work of God that I find little distraction regarding sex in my ministry. Although, I couldn’t say that in my early twenties! I am not ashamed of my struggles with sexual temptation because those experiences have helped God to form me. To deny or wish those past temptations away would be to risk unraveling God’s weaving of my life.
In terms of Scripture and God’s revelation in my life, I see a much greater chance at bringing myself into sin by an act of judgment against another person, than by an act of sex. Because sex is a gift from God, it cannot be intrinsically evil. For me to teach that idea amounts to error and is dangerous. We must not, however, become gluttonous in receiving the gift of sex or any gift from God. We must also not hurt others by that gift. For me the evil comes when we pervert the mind into thinking that something that comes from the Heart of God will separate us from Him. To say that would be to turn God into a minister of sin. Because of my experiences being abused sexually by priests as a child, it has been very difficult to arrive at a place where I can even talk openly about sexual issues. Ministering to youth who are struggling with sexual issues is important to me because I intimately understand their pain and struggle. I will not ever say that my abuse was God’s will, but I know that He has used my ministry to help me heal and to help others heal from sexual abuse.
I think that, as a disciple, one must be very compassionate in dealing with matters involving sexuality. I know first-hand how painful it is to be taught that something in your nature is evil. The feelings that come from believing that God has placed something in your heart that will damn you can cause you to reject God. To me, teaching a person that a part of their nature will lead to rejection from God will cause a self-fulfilling prophesy. The person will fail to strive to do God’s will in other matters because he feels that his “evil” tendencies are insurmountable and his damnation is impending anyway. This can lead to terrible loss for everyone involved, not least of all for God who will lose a child.
In dealing with all people, I believe ministers must never lose sight that the ultimate goal is to bring the sheep through the sheep-gate. In order for the sheep to follow you, they must know that you will protect them. If they do not hear love in your voice, they will sense danger and scatter. I never want to be a shepherd who scatters his sheep, especially in matters of dealing with sexuality. As a bishop I will never shy away from preaching about sensitive sexual issues. There may be times when I will preach about sexual morality or talk about current events that concern sexual topics, but I will always be careful to speak with honesty and love in these areas.
I think it’s more appropriate to say that my sexuality has dealt with me. ...I have come to understand that one can neither deny nor succumb to his sexuality. Saint Dominic tells that we must be in control of our passions or they will control us. In the same way Paul reminds us that whereas everything is “lawful” for him, not everything is beneficial. The Apostle makes it clear that he will not permit anything but the Love of God in Christ to dominate him.
I have come to appreciate my sexuality as a gift from God. I can also see how evil can pervert this gift. I have seen what can happen when purely sexual desires cloud one’s decisions and determine one’s actions. The outcome is usually far removed from the presence of God. I am in a place right now where I am wholly comfortable with my sexuality and embrace it; however sexual desire and sexual activity have become so less important than doing the work of God that I find little distraction regarding sex in my ministry. Although, I couldn’t say that in my early twenties! I am not ashamed of my struggles with sexual temptation because those experiences have helped God to form me. To deny or wish those past temptations away would be to risk unraveling God’s weaving of my life.
In terms of Scripture and God’s revelation in my life, I see a much greater chance at bringing myself into sin by an act of judgment against another person, than by an act of sex. Because sex is a gift from God, it cannot be intrinsically evil. For me to teach that idea amounts to error and is dangerous. We must not, however, become gluttonous in receiving the gift of sex or any gift from God. We must also not hurt others by that gift. For me the evil comes when we pervert the mind into thinking that something that comes from the Heart of God will separate us from Him. To say that would be to turn God into a minister of sin. Because of my experiences being abused sexually by priests as a child, it has been very difficult to arrive at a place where I can even talk openly about sexual issues. Ministering to youth who are struggling with sexual issues is important to me because I intimately understand their pain and struggle. I will not ever say that my abuse was God’s will, but I know that He has used my ministry to help me heal and to help others heal from sexual abuse.
I think that, as a disciple, one must be very compassionate in dealing with matters involving sexuality. I know first-hand how painful it is to be taught that something in your nature is evil. The feelings that come from believing that God has placed something in your heart that will damn you can cause you to reject God. To me, teaching a person that a part of their nature will lead to rejection from God will cause a self-fulfilling prophesy. The person will fail to strive to do God’s will in other matters because he feels that his “evil” tendencies are insurmountable and his damnation is impending anyway. This can lead to terrible loss for everyone involved, not least of all for God who will lose a child.
In dealing with all people, I believe ministers must never lose sight that the ultimate goal is to bring the sheep through the sheep-gate. In order for the sheep to follow you, they must know that you will protect them. If they do not hear love in your voice, they will sense danger and scatter. I never want to be a shepherd who scatters his sheep, especially in matters of dealing with sexuality. As a bishop I will never shy away from preaching about sensitive sexual issues. There may be times when I will preach about sexual morality or talk about current events that concern sexual topics, but I will always be careful to speak with honesty and love in these areas.
The sexual tension that exists in our church is…well it’s befuddling to me. We need to “grow up” and stop feeling like sex is a taboo subject in church. Our youth need appropriate direction concerning matters of sexuality and it seems they are not getting direction from the mainstream church so we should all commit to being open to discuss the subject of sexuality! If that is something you are not comfortable hearing from me as your bishop, I will try my best to be sensitive when talking about such things. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel. The Gospel involves loving all people and bringing them to God. Sexual morality confusion is responsible for too many casualties in our young people. I’m going to try to work to lower the number of spiritual casualties related to sexual morality confusion. So be ready to help me with that task if you are willing to!
