Black gay priest in NYC challenges Catholicism from within

By KWASI GYAMFI ASIEDU
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Among Catholic priests in the United States, few are African American and few are openly gay. Bryan Massingale is both, using his platform as a priest and professor to teach about racial injustice within the U.S. and urge the Catholic Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ Catholics. His base is New York City — he teaches at Fordham University and sometimes preaches at a Catholic church in Harlem. He believes racism within Catholic ranks is a leading factor in the exodus of Black people to other Christian denominations. And he challenges the church’s doctrine that disapproves of same-sex unions.