The Rev. James Morrison, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, received a reaction of support from the congregation after announcing in a letter to church members that he is homosexual.Madeline Cheramie, a campus minister at St. Thomas, has known Morrison for several years and is happy with the overwhelming response Morrison received from parishioners at the Mass following his announcement.
“He has done everything that the Church has asked of him,” Cheramie said. “People have been kind and very vocal. They have sent out their love and support.”
Cheramie was out of town when Morrison made his announcement and was concerned about the reaction.
“I had no idea what the reaction was going to be, but I knew that the people who knew him would support him like he has supported anyone who walked in,” Cheramie said. “Every parish that he worked in had someone attend the Mass.”
People have backed Morrison because of the type of person he is, Cheramie said.
“I think people support him because he has always been a person of joy,” Cheramie said. “When he asked for that in return he received it. He is overflowing with that gift.”
According to The Associated Press report on Jan. 8, Morrison handed a copy of his letter to Bishop Sam Jacobs of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Jan. 2, which is approximately one month after the Vatican released a statement on its policy on homosexuals and the priesthood, which said that people with “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies should be kept out of the priesthood. The AP also reported that Morrison had been working on the letter he sent out earlier this month since October.
Bishop Jacobs released a written statement that said the Roman Catholic Church makes a clear distinction between homosexual actions and orientation, the AP reported. In the bishop’s statement, he cites the Vatican’s policy statement, which said that homosexual acts are intrinsically immoral, but people don’t choose their sexual orientation and should not be discriminated against because of it. Bishop Jacobs also wrote that people should be judged by their acts.
Morrison has been informed by Bishop Jacobs not to conduct any additional interviews with regards to the announcement Morrison recently made in the letter.
Brandon Allemand, psychology junior from Lockport, believes that Morrison’s sexuality will not hinder his ability to minister to students.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with it,” Allemand said. “He is a priest, and he is human just like everyone else. As long as he does not act upon it, I think it is all right.”
Allemand believes that Morrison has done positive things at the Aquinas Center and people should not judge Morrison on his sexuality alone.
“To damn somebody for being gay when you are Christian yourself is kind of hypocritical,” Allemand said. “He is on the same level as the students. He is perfect for the job.”
Cheramie said that by being open with the church members, Morrison has made St. Thomas a better place.
“There is such a spirit of peace here,” Cheramie said. “He (Morrison) feels at peace. St. Thomas has a sense of excitement.”
Morrison has been a priest for 18 years and pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas for more than three years.
The AP reported that Morrison said he is celibate and being homosexual is not against Catholic doctrine, therefore he has no plans to resign.
