“Fortunately, I was not alone: I had my husband at my side.” — Charles Benedict Fortunately Copy Share Image
“When we reconnected, he was there to guide me as I navigated the uncharted waters of dating” — Charles Benedict Uncharted waters Copy Share Image
“I found the courage to admit I was gay. This is when I said the words in my head and said them… — Charles Benedict Courage Copy Share Image
“(Don’t confuse this with not being chaste; they would not have encouraged fornication.)” — Charles Benedict Chaste Copy Share Image
“I realized I needed to think about how to leave priesthood—if it was even possible.” — Charles Benedict Catholic 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 Astute Copy Share Image
“I was constantly surrounded by people in love and I always went back to the rectory—and to bed—alone.” — Charles Benedict Constantly Copy Share Image
“And now, the worst had happened. Gay. Boyfriends. Caught. Perverts. Deviants. Sinners.” — Charles Benedict Happened Gay Copy Share Image
“After all, I had a four-year bachelor’s degree and a five-year master’s degree—albeit in Divinity. I was well-educated and I could contribute… — Charles Benedict Educated Copy Share Image
“When it seems the gods demand a sacrifice, patience and prudence always promote a well-thought stronger response over an in-the-moment reaction.” — Charles Benedict Patience 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
“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
“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
“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 Calling 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
“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 Looking Boys Copy Share Image
“My husband grabbed my hand and held onto it as we walked down the aisle toward the exit and I did not… — Charles Benedict Marriage Copy Share Image
“Though it pains me to write this, I knew that if I wrote to the Holy Father and told him I was… — Charles Benedict Parenting Copy Share Image
“played the chameleon once again while trying to appease both sides. At the same time, as I came to know my sexuality… — Charles Benedict Conservative Copy Share Image
“My conservative group of friends, whom I trusted through Lance, strangely accepted that we were gay and deep in the closet and… — Charles Benedict Group of friends 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
“That’s when I finally quit. I don’t know if Lance quit, but I was done. The last thing I needed to do… — Charles Benedict Another man 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
“You can leave priesthood. You can be fired from priesthood.” — Charles Benedict Fired 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 Accepting 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
“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 Altar 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
“Could I survive in the world as an ex-priest that no one wanted anything to do with?” — Charles Benedict Priest Copy Share Image
