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rpp
Guest
There is a difference between being a contrite sinner, which a good Catholic is, and being an *unrepentant *public sinner who profits from gravely sinful activity. His removal is appropriate.
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prodigal-sun
Guest
Correct we are all sinners, and as such need to repent and reconcile ourselves to the one true God. This man does not appear remorseful for his actions and even boastful which of course leads to the scandal of others, this can not be allowed. He pushed the diocese into action and God bless them it was the correct action.
Peace!
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Neil_Anthony
Guest
HE WRITES PORN!!!
This isn’t about him being gay. He just isn’t a good example. We should be spending our free time praying and volunteering to help the poor, not writing PORN!
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Joejohn39
Guest
It seems this was more about him publically announcing it, and in a provocational way, than the “porn” itself. I think if he had kept it private, they wouldn’t have removed him even if they had known about it. Of course, one can disagree as to whether that should have been the case, or whether they should have removed him anyway.
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Brendan
Guest
That is quite true, but every person is called to reject their sin, express remorse and make every attempt to live their lives in a moral fashion.
This person did just the opposite, he express no remorse for the sin of sodomy, he advocated FOR the sin. In addition, he falsely represented his advocacy and his position in the Church as being compatible.
They are not.
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st_julie
Guest
Where sin abounds Grace abounds more. This shrine should not be turned against.
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LRThunder
Guest
He was not removed for being a sinner, but bragging about his sin without any intention of repentance.
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JKirkLVNV
Guest
By this reasoning, it would be okay for the Pope to keep and publicly acknowledge a mistress, wouldn’t it? Or, God help us, a boyfriend?
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Adonis33
Guest
The part of the article I find extremely disturbing:
Scott Pomfret, a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission who described himself in his memoir as “a happy porn-writing Sodomite,” had served for eight years in various capacities at the shrine, even after he disclosed to the friars that he was an advocate of same-sex marriage and, with his partner, a published author of erotic works. His writings, most of which he coauthored with his partner, were not a secret - the pair had been profiled in the Globe and The New York Times magazine.
So they knew what he was for eight years??? And only now they did something???
Scott Pomfret, a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission who described himself in his memoir as “a happy porn-writing Sodomite,” had served for eight years in various capacities at the shrine, even after he disclosed to the friars that he was an advocate of same-sex marriage and, with his partner, a published author of erotic works. His writings, most of which he coauthored with his partner, were not a secret - the pair had been profiled in the Globe and The New York Times magazine.
So they knew what he was for eight years??? And only now they did something???
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Mea_Culpa
Guest
The fact that he got away with this for so long, and that there are people on here actually defending his “right” to be a lector and a gay pornographer at the same time show just how deeply moral relativism has infected our Church. He shouldn’t be allowed to participate in Communion, much less get up in front of the Church and read the Word of God to God’s People. I hope the “friars” are disciplined for letting this scandal go on for so long.
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Mijoy2
Guest
Saint Anthony’s Shrine in Boston is a beautiful place. The friars there (from my experiences) are simply wonderful holy men who care deeply about thier fellow man. Saint Anthony’s conducts the Sacrement of Reconciliation nearly all day long. I have never been there that there has not been a long line. I have talked with some of the friars personally about issues of deep concern to me. These men are gifts from God to us, the faithful.
This man has made a mockery of the holy establishment that is Saint Anthonys. I hope he someday returns, with a new heart. Until then, let he stay away.
This man has made a mockery of the holy establishment that is Saint Anthonys. I hope he someday returns, with a new heart. Until then, let he stay away.
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Tigg
Guest
Absolutely not true according to GIRM. I happen to live in a town with much error abounding. We have changed parishes more than once because of it. There was an incident at the last parish where an individual who was divorced was openly living with another outside of even a civil marriage. This individual was also on the parish council, a lector and EM. I went to a priest outside this parish to make certain I understood church law. The priest told me that this individual should have no ministry that involved being on the altar, even that of lector. He quoted GIRM, and another document entitled IMMENSAE CARITATIS. I don’t have the link off hand to post here, but this document states that if any EM causes others “wonderment” it is expressly forbidden. Other posts have also mentioned the sin of scandal which the CCC categorizes as a grave offense. I was advised by the priest I went to for council to ask for a private meeting with our pastor involving this issue and if that did not resolve the problem, I would be bound to write a letter to the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
This article states “Pomfret, 40, said that in addition to serving as a lector, he had been a Eucharistic minister, trainer of lay ministers, and adviser to the social justice ministries at the Arch Street shrine.”
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quiet52
Guest
It may be true that we all sin. But there’s a difference between “stumbling” on the path and obstinately choosing to stay off the path. Lay people do not have a “right” to serve in any liturgical function.
GIVING TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH
A Pastoral Letter for Diocesan Lay Ministers April 2004
dioceseofbaker.org/gtt.pdf
Entrusted with Sacred Duties
Diocesan Letter to Diocesan Lay Ministers May 2005
dioceseofbaker.org/AffirmationBookletDRAFT2.pdf
GIVING TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH
A Pastoral Letter for Diocesan Lay Ministers April 2004
dioceseofbaker.org/gtt.pdf
Entrusted with Sacred Duties
Diocesan Letter to Diocesan Lay Ministers May 2005
dioceseofbaker.org/AffirmationBookletDRAFT2.pdf
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Tigg
Guest
Thank you so very much for posting these documents. I have printed them out and sent them on to the pastor of the church we just left. He is a foreign priest and we have a very liberal bishop; however, should not the Church be one in truth and teaching. There is no doubt what is going on there is absolutely outside the boundaries of every church guideline.
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Nickkname
Guest
Excellent. They obeyed the Church’s law. 
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kyria
Guest
What is wrong with some priests? This is the Catholic Church. How come this stuff is even allowed to happen? To let someone operate in this role for that period of time. You worry you might offend someone because you have to tell them, listen being gay, and writing gay porn isn’t appropriate in the Catholic Church? well I’d be worrying if you offended God and quite frankly you offend me.
*Rev 21:8 But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.’ *
If a priest lets this stuff happen then he is a coward. If he doesn’t say anything he assists people to burn in a lake of fire, and I’d be worried he might as well, plus he is letting down the Catholic Church and makes a mockery of what we stand for and try to teach.
*Rev 21:8 But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.’ *
If a priest lets this stuff happen then he is a coward. If he doesn’t say anything he assists people to burn in a lake of fire, and I’d be worried he might as well, plus he is letting down the Catholic Church and makes a mockery of what we stand for and try to teach.
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yellowbird
Guest
Understatement of the year:
"There were people who felt it was incompatible for someone to stand up publicly and say, ‘I’m a pornographer, and I’m a lector at St. Anthony Shrine,’ " Convertino said.
What is unfortunate is that this individual, unless he was trying to make a mockery of it for YEARS, obviously had strong feelings for the Catholic Faith. Because they allowed it to go on for so long, maybe he was under the misguided impression that he could live this life of sin (active homosexual relationship, writing gay erotica etc.) and STILL be a good Catholic. Those in charge of his spiritual welfare (the Priests) did him a HUGE disservice. I hold them to blame just as much as this guy who bragged about being a “sodomite.”
"There were people who felt it was incompatible for someone to stand up publicly and say, ‘I’m a pornographer, and I’m a lector at St. Anthony Shrine,’ " Convertino said.
What is unfortunate is that this individual, unless he was trying to make a mockery of it for YEARS, obviously had strong feelings for the Catholic Faith. Because they allowed it to go on for so long, maybe he was under the misguided impression that he could live this life of sin (active homosexual relationship, writing gay erotica etc.) and STILL be a good Catholic. Those in charge of his spiritual welfare (the Priests) did him a HUGE disservice. I hold them to blame just as much as this guy who bragged about being a “sodomite.”
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mercygate
Guest
In order to exercise a liturgical ministry in the Catholic Church one is expected to be “in good standing” as a Catholic and to accept and hold all that is taught by the Church with regard to faith and morals.He should still be able to continue in his lector ministry. He conducted himself as a lector should during mass. He does not promote the material in his book during his lector duties.
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mercygate
Guest
Yes, we are all sinners. To be visible, vocal, dissident and unrepentant in the public forum is, indeed, an impediment to receiving the sacraments, much more to participating in the liturgy.
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sidonius
Guest
But not all priests at St. Anthony’s should be included among those “in charge of his spiritual welfare”. Many of the friars there are retired and live in the residence across the street from the Shrine. They joined the order 50+ years ago, and are good and holy men, who are wonderful in the confessional. I am sure that they are devastated by this.
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