Courage to Love: A Gay Priest Stands Up for His Beliefs

On September 30, 1990, Episcopalian Bishop Walter Righter ordained Barry Stopfel as a deacon in the Diocese of Newark. Thus began Reverend Stopfel's ordained ministry and thus began his pilgrimage to integrate publicly his homosexuality and his love of God. This book is at once the account of one man's deep struggles with his beloved church and a testimony to the deep love he has for his partner, coauthor Will Leckie. The book is at the same time, however, filled with the anguish caused by a religious institutional structure that was reluctant to admit that Stopfel's love of God could coexist with his love of Leckie. This riveting memoir traces Leckie and Stopfel's relationship from their first meeting at Union Seminary to the Episcopal Church's trial of Righter-the priest who ordained Stopfel-for heresy. Righter was acquitted. Throughout this narrative, both Stopfel and Leckie struggle with their religious identities, and they both wonder whether their relationship will be able to withstand the scrutiny of the public gaze of church members who have not yet reconciled themselves to worshipping under an openly gay priest. Leckie and Stopfel hope that their lives can be a model for other gay men confronting the same attitudes as they have had to confront. An inspiring story, told with vibrant honesty, this memoir should be read by Christians who are having difficulty reconciling acceptance of homosexuality with their religious beliefs. (June)