My dear Archbishop died Friday.  He was the man who reconciled me to the church and invited me to serve as a priest in the jurisdiction known as the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America.  We all knew him simply as Skip.

 

I met +Skip in 1966 when I entered the RC seminary in Cincinnati OH.  Skip was a Theology seminarian, and I was a Philosophy seminarian.  Skip took me under his wings, the wind beneath my own wings, for we were studying for the same RC diocese.  Skip served as a summer seminarian intern at the inner city parish where I often came for worship, a mutual friend priest, Ed Reutz, being the associate pastor, and the most radical priest I knew back in '66.  Ed is now retired, and joined us for Synod in 2002.  Skip served as a deacon in my home parish, and after his priesthood ordination in 1969, we remained close through out the years.  He laid hands on me at my own ordination in 1977.  We continued our relationship throughout the years.

When I left my RC religious order in 2000, Skip was one of the first to call and offer his support as I found myself lost and forsaken, but knew I had to leave the order and the church if I were to be true to myself and have integrity.  See, I was gay, and the catholic church condemns the gay life style.  I was a man without a plan, no job, no money, no support from the RC clergy I knew in NY.  I had been a priest for 23 years and found myself an untouchable leper, as I had abandoned the faith and was now an excommunicated heretic!  I found support among the gay church community in NYC where I worshipped,  along with some gay priests friends, and my AA support system, including my dear sponsor, who happened to be a gay priest himself.  

Skip knew my love for my priesthood.  As did Bishop Al, whom I had met at Jim's Holy Union Ceremony earlier that year.  Al connected me with OCCA for the first time.  At that holy union ceremony, Bob  was celebrant, while Al presided as Metropolitan, Jim having been ordained to the priesthood the previous February.

 

Both Jim and Bob had belonged to the same religious order as I did.  And later in my OCCA life, who should I meet but John, a newly ordained OCCA priest. John and I were in minor seminary together in 1962.  John, his wife and I worshipped together throughout the 1970's. What a connection of raggamuffins!

Shortly after Skip was chosen to be the new Metropolitan, he called me and offered to place me "under his stole" so I could feel myself recognized as a priest again. Soon I was able to discern my willingness to enter officially into the OCCA jurisdiction and Skip accepted me unconditionally into the jurisdiction as an ordained minister..  He continued to support me as I began this new phase of my life and minister.  He encouraged me to attend the 2002 Synod to better connect with the jurisdiction.  That was my 'baptism, crismation, ordination, and new freedom finding I truly belonged!'

Skip continued to be my support and confidant throughout the years.  I recently found myself having to deal with an unfortunate public news item, and he was there for me.  Skip wrote me a letter a couple weeks ago and shared the following affirmation:  "I am sitting here glancing at the brief article in NCR wherein the Order has settled a lawsuit and where your name is mentioned, albeit rather offhandedly and without detail.   Please know that the official position of the church jurisdiction to which you now belong is: 'The events which may or may not have been such to accuse you are from the distant past under circumstances which no longer apply to this person.  This jurisdiction, therefore, engaged in the practice of reconciliation and restoration, in these days a rather novel thing, with a view to the Gospel of Jesus."

Skip went on to share his love and unconditional support.  I was not implicated in the settlement, but somehow my name was reported by the attorney of the plaintiff from another case which was settled many years ago, without any legal implications or consequences.  Skip reminded me that all of us are wounded reconcilers following in the ministry of Jesus.  He told me that our wounded condition is our gift to the church and gives us grace to reconcile others.

It reminded me of the 2002 Synod where we embraced the concept that we are all ragamuffins in the vineyard!  Skip never forgot that and always reminded me that it is my blessing and grace as I continue my own ministry with the wounded and the vulnerable struggling with substance abuse and other trauma related histories.

I am so grateful for Skip's reconciling ministry to me from 1966 through 2009, and now into eternity, where he waits for my return from this temporary interim into the loving arms of the God who loved me before I was born, in my mother's womb (Isaiah 49).  Skip continues to be the wind beneath my wings until that great day.  I rejoice in Skip's reconciling ministry still touching my life and giving me hope to carry on until that great day!

I hope to be at Skip's commendation into heaven at the Divine Liturgy.  I write this with grace-filled gratitude as I remember!  For in the very act of remembering we are in a communion in a deeper way than we ever could be in the flesh.

Thank you for listening,  for this recollection has freed my spirit to soar again for another day.