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Hawaii: vicar general leaves priesthood for government job

CWN - January 24, 2011

The vicar general of the Honolulu diocese has left the priesthood to take a job working for the state’s new governor.

Father Marc Alexander, who has been vicar general for 5 years, said that it was “overwhelming” to be named the coordinator for homelessness in the administration of Governor Neil Abercrombie. He said that he felt a “calling that is in a different direction.”

As a priest, Alexander had coordinated efforts by the Honolulu diocese to stop legal recognition of same-sex marriages. He now joins the administration of a governor who backs same-sex marriage.

Bishop Clarence (“Larry”) Silva of Honolulu said that he was “shocked and extremely disappointed” by Alexander’s decision to abandon priestly ministry. But Alexander said that the bishop knew he had been thinking about leaving the priesthood for years.

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