Gay community accepts deacon’s apology for ‘Adam and Steve’ remark

March 11, 2010

The Gloucestershire Gay and Lesbian Community has accepted a Catholic deacon’s apology for preaching that “marriage is between Adam and Eve -- not Adam and Steve.”

Following the January homily in which he made his remarks, Deacon Frank Wainwright (inaccurately referred to as a priest in some press accounts) received five complaints from parishioners. Additional complaints were addressed to the local newspaper and to community leaders.

“I want to apologize for the wording of what I said,” the deacon stated. “It was very badly said, and it shouldn’t have been said.”

“I’m absolutely not homophobic,” he added. “I expressed Church teaching in a very bad way, and I’m sorry for that.”

For all current news, visit our News home page.

• Catholic priest apologies for ‘Adam and Steve’ remark (Gloucestershire Echo)
• Priest apologises for joking that marriage is not for 'Adam and Steve' (Daily Telegraph)

Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 6 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments

• Posted by: jeremiahjj - Mar. 12, 2010 10:11 AM ET USA

  We live in a world of cliches. Words are meant to capture attention. I don't know precisely what the deacon said in his sermon -- only what was reported -- but I see no sign of homophobia (fear of homosexuals) in his Adam and Steve remark. I do see a comment that sets forth church teaching in a way that catches people's attention. Why apologize for that? Could the people who were "offended" have another agenda?

• Posted by: - Mar. 11, 2010 8:57 PM ET USA

  Homosexuals would complain about any expression of the fact that their sexual orientation is disordered and that to live it out is sinful. Truth requires no apology. Justice demands truth.

• Posted by: - Mar. 11, 2010 8:54 PM ET USA

  It was a great, if not original, remark. Should have stood by it.

• Posted by: mmbarto - Mar. 11, 2010 3:35 PM ET USA

  No apology needed here...! The Deacon was just stating the 'truth' in a way that his fellow parishioners could understand..!! Makes sense to me...!

• Posted by: Lucius49 - Mar. 11, 2010 10:48 AM ET USA

  Why apologize? It's on the mark. Let's face it no statement of Church teaching which is based on natural law will satisfy the gay ideology. Why accept their premises giving validity to words like homophobia.

• Posted by: - Mar. 11, 2010 10:43 AM ET USA

  Obviously this deacon got orders from his politically-correct superiors to apologize. Shameful.