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Catholic Priest Against Church Stand on Homosexual Unions to Broadcast His Views

Claims Bishop Was "Warm and Understanding" Over Dissent on Vatican's New Document

MONTREAL, August 13, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Rev. Raymond Gravel, a priest in St. Joachim de La Plaine parish in Joliette Quebec who slammed the Vatican's stance on homosexual unions in an open letter published in a newspaper, has told the media that his bishop "was very warm and understanding" in a meeting on the issue. Fr. Gravel told the Montreal Gazette, "He (Joliette Bishop Gilles Lussier) didn't judge me or muzzle me. He said my (writing) style was a bit harsh," but "he said he wouldn't stop me from writing." Rev. Gravel said he will continue to speak out and has taped an interview on the subject that will air on Télé-Québec next month, reports the Gazette.

In the letter published in La Presse Gravel wrote that the Church's stand "is discriminatory, hurtful and offensive, not only for homosexuals."

While Bishop Lussier would not comment to the media on the meeting, Gravel said, it helps that his bishop understands that "I didn't do this to destroy the church but to help build it. Our bishop is a good guy, he's very human. He has a heart. Everyone should have a boss like that."

Contact Bishop Lussier:
Mailing Address:
C.P. 470, 2 Rue Saint-Charles-Borromée Nord,
Joliette, P.Q. J6E 6H6, Canada
Telephone: (450)753-7596 Fax: 759-0929

See the Gazette coverage:
http://www.canada.com/montreal/story.asp?id=623CB718-817F-4D82-87A8-9E4CB81F0511

See related LifeSite coverage:
Quebec Catholic Priest Publicly Rebukes Vatican Document on Homosexual Unions
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/aug/03080705.html

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