“And now, the worst had happened. Gay. Boyfriends. Caught. Perverts. Deviants. Sinners.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“After all, eighteen years of my life had been geared toward priesthood.” — Charles Benedict Catholic Copy Share Image
“They were astute enough to know that I needed someone to share my life with…and they were right.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“I realized I needed to be more courageous like him, but that would take several years to become reality.” — Charles Benedict Courage Copy Share Image
“I knew that a publicly gay priest would alienate many parishioners no matter where I was assigned.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“(My trust-in-God issues were about accepting who he created me to be, not about hiding in the priesthood.)” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“they were happy I was choosing to be happy because they could tell I was unhappy.” — Charles Benedict Happiness Copy Share Image
“(I am diagnosed with ADHD, this was not a random request. I just don’t like taking medicine if I don’t have to.)” — Charles Benedict Adhd Copy Share Image
“It was sympathy to them, not empathy. I had to remain silent out of fear of discovery and, as such, being fired… — Charles Benedict Fear Copy Share Image
“When the switch in my mind finally flipped in early February 2009, I told Shane that I was leaving the priesthood. When… — Charles Benedict Catholic Copy Share Image
“In fact, it amazes me to this day, that despite our society’s technological advances, we are still so incredibly backwards when it… — Charles Benedict Humanity Copy Share Image
“This is about the age when I started segregating the good-looking boys from the less good-looking boys, but I still didn’t understand… — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“How is the homosexual person, whom God created in his and her image, supposed to accept this teaching from the Church when… — Charles Benedict Ability to love Copy Share Image
“Several months later, I met the man I would later marry. As my mom got to know this last boyfriend, she accepted… — Charles Benedict Kindness Copy Share Image
“Hi Chuck,” a familiar voice said. “It’s your Uncle Eduard calling. I’m the next person in charge at the diocese right now.… — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“I began watching the It Gets Better videos that had just surged in popularity on YouTube and realized that although it would… — Charles Benedict Video Copy Share Image
“As a teenager, his teachers recognized his academic prowess and brilliant intelligence. They suggested he move into monastic life in order to… — Charles Benedict Intellect Copy Share Image
“When the game heated up on the racquetball court, our shirts would often come off. I must admit, it was hard not… — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“I like to think I had an out-of-body experience, but really I imagined myself being an outsider who observed the dinner conversation… — Charles Benedict Another year Copy Share Image
“It was 1993, and Reese and I had just begun the last quarter of our junior year. I could no longer hang… — Charles Benedict Best friend Copy Share Image
“Since most boys (including me) learn masturbation around the time they hit puberty, they quickly develop a well-formed habit. As such, it’s… — Charles Benedict Habits Copy Share Image
“As a gay man, the Church oppressed me and I walked willingly into its repressive and controlling arms. As a gay man,… — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“Then he slowly came out, fearing repercussions from his family and friends. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for him, but… — Charles Benedict Family Copy Share Image
“I had my own weight set in the basement and I subscribed to Men’s Fitness magazine. The beauty of receiving this magazine… — Charles Benedict Fitness Copy Share Image
“Growing up, there were Catholics and (gasp) non-Catholics, such as Protestants.” — Charles Benedict Protestants Copy Share Image
“If there was Altar Server training to do, I was ready to help. Exciting, right? It was for me.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“Could I survive in the world as an ex-priest that no one wanted anything to do with?” — Charles Benedict Priest Copy Share Image
“Reese was the boy I explored my sexuality with in sophomore year and I fell in love with him.” — Charles Benedict Love Copy Share Image
“I am no longer fit to administer the sacraments because I express love in the way God intended for me—with another man.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“What part of that last sentence is consistent with what homosexuality is today? I’ll tell you…none of it.” — Charles Benedict Homosexuality Copy Share Image
“Masturbation was a safe sexual topic while homosexuality was not.” — Charles Benedict Homosexuality Copy Share Image
“It was Tanner, the third guy, who snuck into my heart and became my third boyfriend.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“When you leave for seminary in a few weeks, I hope to have convinced you of how much I love you.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“For once, the super power of superhuman speed proved useful in the safety of residents.” — Charles Benedict Power Copy Share Image
“By the time my final year—fourth theology—rolled around, I had accepted my sexuality” — Charles Benedict Homosexuality Copy Share Image
“I’ll always know the Power of God did something amazing through me that day.” — Charles Benedict Amazing Copy Share Image
“You’re like a twelve-year-old-boy who doesn’t know what he wants to do.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“Along the growing struggle of accepting my sexuality, the growing struggle of dealing with loneliness became insurmountable.” — Charles Benedict Homosexuality Copy Share Image
“Homosexuality and pedophilia were aggressively aligned as equal and the same.” — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“The venerable goal of openness and communication to integrate celibacy had been taken away from us and replaced with threats of witch… — Charles Benedict Celibacy Copy Share Image
