Catholics rally behind DC priest amid controversy
Washington D.C., Apr 5, 2013 / 06:10 pm (Catholic News Agency) - Students and parishioners are speaking up for a Catholic priest after two gay students at George Washington University said they want him removed for supporting the Church's stance on homosexual behavior.
“I have never seen Fr. Greg be less than compassionate to any student on an issue of sexuality,” Catholic author and speaker Dawn Eden told CNA April 5. “He’s been instrumental in helping them to find healing in Christ.”
Seniors Damian Legacy and Blake Bergen, both of whom are gay, want Fr. Schaffer removed because he taught that homosexual behavior is immoral, consistent with the teaching of the Catholic faith.
Current and past Newman Center students have voiced their support of the priest on a blog called, “The Chaplain I Know.” They argued that it was ridiculous to try to penalize a Catholic priest for upholding Catholic teaching and offered testimonies on Fr. Schaffer’s character, calling him “self-sacrificing,” “encouraging” and instrumental in their conversions back to the Catholic faith.
Catholic News Agency