Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky: Coming Out of the Closet

Want a Liturgical Revival? Start With Repentance. by Phil Lawler
February 20, 2020
uCatholic: What Did The Saints Give Up For Lent?
February 20, 2020

*Image: Priest (from the Ordination Series) by Neilson Carlin, 2010 [Commissioned for Saint Paul Seminary, Saint Paul, MN. Visit https://www.neilsoncarlin.com]

By Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky, The Catholic Thing, Feb. 20, 2020

Father Jerry J. Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington. He is pastor of St. Catherine of Siena parish in Great Falls, Virginia.

Rev. Jerry J. PokorskyAt times, priests reveal intimate secrets about themselves from the pulpit.  I’ve always hesitated to do so mostly because a sermon should be about Jesus, and innermost secrets and feelings are none of your business. But there are certain advantages that a priest has in the twilight of his priesthood.  The expanding mosaic of his experiences – good and bad – can provide others with useful insights.

Parishioners notice many uncomfortable details about priests, ranging from personal hygiene to personality quirks.  Depending upon circumstances, a pastor may have a duty to affirm or deny rumors for the sake of tranquility, and transparency.  These acknowledgments can be painful but necessary. So here is one of my many secrets:  I am a conservative.

I prefer the term “Catholic.” But since I have an obligation before God to conserve and preach what I have received, after careful consideration, I have come to accept the conservative characterization. ….

Read more here  https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2020/02/20/coming-out-of-the-closet/