Priest at Center of Heresy Controversy Resigns His Parish
Episcopal News Service. October 6, 1999 [99-149A]
(ENS) The Rev. Barry Stopfel, whose ordination to the diaconate as an openly gay man living in a relationship precipitated a heresy trial, has resigned from his parish.
While calling his 10 years in ministry, the last six at a thriving New Jersey parish, "deeply gratifying but very stressful," he said that it had strained his relationship with his partner, the Rev. Will Leckie. The couple has moved to a farm and orchard in the Amish countryside in Pennsylvania.
Stopfel said that he will write a new book, following a previous book he and Leckie wrote, "Courage to Love." This one will deal with the spiritual quest of people who have been disenchanted with organized religion.
Parishioners at St. George's Church in Maplewood expressed disappointment and sadness but some said that they had welcomed homosexuals before Stopfel became their rector and would continue to do so in the future. One long-time member admitted that there were some difficult moments. "The church pulled together and was supportive of Barry and gay rights," said Tilly-Jo Emerson. "Yet we paid a price from constantly having to respond to the ugliness out there," she told a local reporter.
Stopfel said that the parish had a reputation for welcoming everyone. "Among gays and non-gays St. George's has become an icon, representing the circle of God's love that includes everyone."
Stopfel was ordained a deacon by Bishop Walter Righter, who was then accused of heresy and the charges went to the court for the trial of a bishop. The court decided that the ordination did not violate any core doctrine of the church.
Some of the trauma from the trial still lingers, Stopfel said in a press interview. "For queers, hate is a day-to-day business," he said. "It is more hurtful when it comes from an institution that is supposed to represent God's love."
He said that he reached his decision after a short sabbatical at his farm, finally coming to grips with the toll on his "psyche and spirit." He told the Newark Star-Ledger, "Will and I lived our relationship publicly from the very beginning, which is something a rector and spouse do without all the media. I felt it was time to not live so much in public."
Stopfel said that he might explore some other ways of ministering outside of the traditional parish -- perhaps reaching out to those who have left the church because of its inability to handle their concerns and questions on a whole range of spiritual and social issues. "I want to start an independent ministry for people with serious questions, who want to find a spiritual path," he told a reporter. "I believe the Episcopal Church has the elasticity to do that."