Gay priest is true to his faith, at odds with his church

October 26, 2008

So who is this Catholic priest from Fresno who stood up and spoke out against Proposition 8, putting his career on the line? As a gay man who finds the church’s views on homosexuality so objectionable, why has he been a priest for more than 20 years and subjected himself to such moral conflict?

After reading my colleague Duke Helfand’s story about Father Geoffrey Farrow and his recent career-suicide from the pulpit, I was curious. Farrow agreed to meet me for lunch in the middle of a schedule that’s gotten very busy since he became persona non grata to his employer. He’s been asked to appear all over the state for rallies against Prop. 8, which would amend the California Constitution to say marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

Father Farrow, who was suspended by his bishop two weeks ago, strolled into the lobby of the Kyoto Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles wearing the collar.

“I’m still a priest,” he said over lunch, though he fully expected to be disciplined for speaking to his congregation about Prop. 8 and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s ultimately fired.

For the moment, he’s staying with friends in Los Angeles. Farrow, 50, doesn’t know what he’ll do after the election. He was suspended without pay and said his medical benefits run out at the end of the month.

Farrow, who lived in Cuba until the age of 4, grew up Catholic in Florida and knew as a teenager that he was gay. He dated girls “to keep up appearances” but was miserable about it, and he began questioning his faith. See Gay priest is true to his faith, at odds with his church
Los Angeles Times, CA