“Gay American” seeks solace in the priesthood
The former Governor of New Jersey, who came out of the closet on live television, is to train for the priesthood.
Jim McGreevey has been in the headlines for months over his divorce and custody battle. Now it has been revealed that he is in the first stages of becoming an Anglican priest.
The church, called Episcopalians in the US, is split over the issue of gay clergy, and Mr McGreevey is currently in a relationship with another man.
A strong Roman Catholic while Governor, Mr MrGreevey has been attending Anglican services since 2004.
He has been accepted into a masters degree programme at the General Theological Seminary but it is several years before he would be considered for ordination.
This latest revelation comes just one day after his former wife released her autobiography and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
“It is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. He needs to be in the spotlight. I am astounded by his arrogance,” Dina Matos McGreevey said in a statement yesterday.
Her soon-to-be ex-husband has consistently been in the public eye since he famously declared on television “I am a gay American.”
He came out in 2004 while announcing he intended to resign his post as governor.
Yesterday it was reported that he eventually wants to have a civil union with his boyfriend, Australian business executive Mark O’Donnell.
On Friday McGreevey won joint custody of 5-year-old Jacqueline, his daughter with future ex-wife Dina Matos McGreevey.
O’Donnell and McGreevey have been dating each other since 2005, when they first met at a cocktail party and began talking about books and history.
