Expelled Seminarian Sues After Getting Kicked Out for Alleged Sodomy

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (ChurchMilitant.com) - An expelled seminarian in Ohio has filed a lawsuit against his now-former seminary, the Pontifical College Josephinum (PCJ), after he was kicked out for alleged sodomy.

This past October, the vice rector of PCJ, Rev. Walter Oxley, told the ex-seminarian, who's filed the complaint anonymously as "John Doe," that he'd discovered a "credible accusation of homosexual activity" against Doe.

According to Doe, Msgr. Christopher Schreck, rector-president of the seminary, was at the meeting when the seminary confronted him about the matter. Based on the complaint, Schreck was apparently quite concerned about the student, encouraging him to "get [his] life in order and to avail [himself] of the sacraments."

Doe argues that Schreck's alleged involvement with the dismissal violates canon law, since Schreck was apparently his spiritual director.

Following the meeting, Doe claims he wasn't allowed to go back to his room if he wasn't accompanied by someone from the school. The seminary offered to mail him any of his personal items.

The school seems to be acting on the impression that its source against the seminarian is highly trustworthy. On Doe's account, he was never even asked to say whether he did what he was accused of or not. Neither would seminary authorities tell him the name of whoever informed them of his alleged sexual misconduct.

Doe officially started his program toward the priesthood in 2010 and was set to graduate next May.

The Church prohibits any men with deep-seated homosexual tendencies from becoming priests, let alone men who act on such desires.

The seminarian, who denies any wrongdoing, is suing for breach of contract, bad faith and other claims. He says a public announcement of the dismissal tarnished his reputation, too. He's also demanding reimbursement for all of the tuition and fees he paid the college.

ChurchMilitant.com contacted the seminary for comment, but did not receive a response before publication time.

For more on the topic of homosexuality in seminaries, watch "The Vortex: Same-Sex-Attracted Seminarians."

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