“What part of that last sentence is consistent with what homosexuality is today? I’ll tell you…none of it.” — Charles Benedict 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 God Copy Share Image
“It was Tanner, the third guy, who snuck into my heart and became my third boyfriend.” — Charles Benedict Boyfriend 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 Convinced Love 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
“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
“I told her there was one more thing, and then I officially came out of the closet and told her I was… — Charles Benedict Came Closet Copy Share Image
“I fell head-over-heels in love with Lance in the middle of first theology. Like others before me, I fell in love in… — Charles Benedict First boyfriend 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
“He reminded me that I was not the first priest to acknowledge his sexuality and that despite the Vatican’s stance, a chaste… — Charles Benedict Heterosexual Priest Copy Share Image
“At some point, Haaken and I were alone in the backyard and he asked follow-up questions about whether I had taken time… — Charles Benedict Lied Copy Share Image
“It was wonderful to see Reese after almost five years. We spent the better part of an afternoon and evening together and… — Charles Benedict Brothers and sisters Copy Share Image
“Am I really going to hell for being gay?” Or, “I have a lot of lesbian thoughts in my head. Does that… — Charles Benedict 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 Gay Man 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
“It was only months after my time with Haaken that I realized he also didn’t care whether I was gay or not.… — Charles Benedict Family Copy Share Image
“Fred, who was probably gay, didn’t bother to hide himself and didn’t care if you looked. Then again, he never hinted at… — Charles Benedict Simon Copy Share Image
“In early January 2002, when Rev. James Porter and Rev. John Geoghan abuse cases appeared on the headlines of the Boston Globe,… — Charles Benedict Beyond belief Copy Share Image
“From that moment on, I never had another heated argument or conversation about my sexuality because my mother could not understand how… — Charles Benedict Children Copy Share Image
“I realized I did not want to be in a relationship with her. Hindsight and growth allow me to realize that my… — Charles Benedict Hindsight Copy Share Image
“Every so often, Zach would say things like, “I like you,” or, “We think a lot alike.” I naively agreed with him… — Charles Benedict Pursuing Copy Share Image
“They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from… — Charles Benedict Life Copy Share Image
“Am I really going to hell for being gay?” Or, “I think I was born a woman in a man’s body. Does… — Charles Benedict Asked Copy Share Image
“Though I wholeheartedly supported celibacy at the start of my seminary career, my opinion changed as I made my way toward and… — Charles Benedict Catholic Copy Share Image
“Leaving the priesthood and coming out as gay would be a double whammy that would be difficult for some in the family,… — Charles Benedict Family Copy Share Image
“We can’t have a God of love who makes everything that is good, who wants us to be happy, wants us to… — Charles Benedict Condemns Copy Share Image
“We did, however, deliver and expel many homosexual and sodomitic demons from my body, mind, heart, mouth, soul, penis, and anus.” — Charles Benedict Expel Copy Share Image
“She could not handle telling people I had left priesthood, that I was gay, and she refused to use words associated with… — Charles Benedict Priesthood Copy Share Image
“Fr. Norman prayed over me and delivered many spirits and demons from my body, and although I became happier, but the gay… — Charles Benedict Copy Share Image
“I did not return to that beach until after I had come out, but I always remembered the laugh I shared when… — Charles Benedict Homosexuality Copy Share Image
“These catalogues all contained similar yet different images of young men modeling athletic clothes, underwear, and exercise equipment—and I liked those pages.” — Charles Benedict Catalogues Copy Share Image
“I think my parents were overjoyed to see the wonder in my eyes because it reassured them that I was on track… — Charles Benedict Father Copy Share Image
“I shared my feelings, the past six months of reflection, and my ultimate decision to leave, come out of the closet, and… — Charles Benedict Life Copy Share Image
“I can’t help but wonder if my life would have turned out differently if I had the chance to spread my wings… — Charles Benedict Family Copy Share Image
“I am not meant to be alone in life, and that the type of committed, indissoluble partnership in which I am engaged… — Charles Benedict Incompatible Copy Share Image
“We had to have conversations about ensuring our focus was always on Christ and his teens because I was not running a… — Charles Benedict Communication Copy Share Image
“At that point in time, the need to be myself had become a competing desire with my priesthood, but I didn’t quite… — Charles Benedict Catholic Copy Share Image
