Faith

Disgraced Former Gov. Jim McGreevey Path to Priesthood Blocked ‘For Being a Jacka**’

TRENTON, N.J. (AP/THE BLAZE) — Former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who abruptly resigned in 2004 after declaring himself “a gay American” and admitting an extramarital affair with a male staffer, has had his pursuit of the Episcopal priesthood put on hold indefinitely.

Disgraced Former Gov. Jim McGreevey Path to Priesthood Blocked For Being a Jacka**

The New York Post reported Monday that the church has deferred his bid to join the clergy.

The church wants McGreevey to wait so he can put more distance between his possible ordination and the fairly recent turmoil in his life: his coming out in a nationally televised speech, his resignation and a messy divorce from his wife, Dina Matos, in 2008.

According to the New York Post:

Church leaders, who have long embraced gay parishioners and clergy, were bothered by McGreevey’s bitter divorce, sources told The Post.

“It was not being gay but for being a jackass — [McGreevey] didn’t come out of the whole divorce looking good,” said a source with the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.

Neither McGreevey, a Democrat, nor the Episcopal Diocese of Newark would comment on his potential ordination, saying the process is confidential.

McGreevey, 53, earned a master of divinity degree last spring, three years after entering General Theological Seminary in New York City.

The Rev. Patricia McCaughan, who writes for the Episcopal News Service, said ordination is a complicated, subjective process that differs from state to state.

“If a person is deemed not ready to go forward, that doesn‘t mean that’s the end,” she said. “People can always try again.”

For now, McGreevey said he plans to continue ministering to inmates and helping raise his daughter, who is in elementary school.

“I’m enjoying prison ministry, particularly with the women in Hudson County Jail who have suffered tremendously in their lives,” he said.

McGreevey, a former Catholic altar boy, shocked the nation by declaring his homosexuality with his stunned wife and parents at his side. He was the nation’s first openly gay governor, but he resigned three months later.

He converted from Catholicism after leaving office. His divorce from Matos followed a protracted public trial during which she claimed she was duped into marriage to advance his political career.

The couple spent four years married and living together and had one child, named Jacqueline. They formally separated in February 2005, three months after he left office. They publicly sparred about their breakup, each writing a tell-all book about the relationship, with almost no detail deemed too embarrassing to reveal.

McGreevey has lived with real estate executive Mark O’Donnell in Plainfield since 2005. He has made few public appearances since leaving office.

Comments (102)

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  • slade37
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:38pm

    I need to stop reading comments here. They sometimes bug me more than the news itself. The hatred and intolerance flowing here is incredible at times. Not very Christian if you ask me.

    Look at the book UnChristian then look in the mirror. Although I think he ended up disproving most of the points he was trying to prove, it does discuss why people turn away from Christianity. I’ve experienced most of the examples the author described and see alot of it here. …but remain Christian. I just refuse to join any of the churches around me for the reasons in the book. Too much hatred, intolerance, and a better than thou attitude here. Alot of you do it without realizing it. Although I’ve experienced that last item in several places, it also goes with living in a snobbish neighborhood so it’s doubled here.

    Report Post » slade37  
    • Magen_daveed7
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:58pm

      Is that what God is about to you suiting your desires and if not you go find another philosophy that does? God is not a sugar daddy and objectivity is not just about correcting other but also the self. There is no eternal place of torment but neither does everyone go to heaven either. One day the Eternal Fire of the Truth is going to burn up an destroy all illusion along with those who decided to walk in it because it suited the lust and desires of the self and they will cease to exist even in memory after judgment. The idea of once saved always saved is just away of trying to be rid of God all together.

      Report Post » Thomas  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:37pm

    This guy‘s a horse’s ass. That’s it!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Messenger4God
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:30pm

    @Two Party Scam
    McGreevey should join you instead. He’s got your back.

    Report Post » Messenger4God  
  • Magen_daveed7
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:29pm

    Once save always saved just isn’t true and where there is no confession neither is their forgiveness. Now how in the world can you openly proclaim and practice homosexuality and blend that with the bible?

    1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (New American Standard Bible)
    9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

    Report Post » Thomas  
    • Dudley Do-Right
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 8:34pm

      When I walked away from God a long time ago, I used to ask all the time, why do I have to confess my sins to a priest and then have that person ask God to forgive me? But if you really think about it, doesn’t God know all? Why then would we confess our sins to God since he already knows our sins? I believe it‘s because of the penance we’re assigned as reparations for the sins we’ve committed. I can‘t tell you how happy I am now that God’s back in my life!

      Report Post »  
  • enemy of the statist
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:19pm

    And they forget to mention what a horrible governor he was.

    Report Post » enemy of the statist  
  • PUPITO
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:14pm

    Wow! What a PUTO!

    Report Post »  
  • DLG123
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Gay?

    Lying in the Lords House?

    He should join the jesuit Roman Catholics. He’d probably become a bishop within days with a corrupt resume like that!

    WOW!!!…
    I would love to say that I am surprised this is the first post that you see on this site… But day by day it seems to be getting worse. I am a faithful practicing Roman Catholic and this is absolutely unbelievable.
    These posters are really making you look good glenn as well as the 9/12 groups and all the affiliated groups that associate with glenn. Is this how we are to behave towards each other with nastiness and smears… I am as ashamed to be a fellow American with you (TWO Party) as I am with the two thugs who beat up that person in the McDonalds… Absolutely disgusting

    Report Post » DLG123  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:10pm

    I’m shocked that my church would balk at ordaining this clown. He hasn’t expressed any orthodox vews about the Trinity that might make him suspicious, has he? Did he speak disparagingly of women’s ordination?

    Maybe this tired old street whore of a church has some standards after all. I guess if you cover yourself with poop you should at least let it dry a little before trying to be a priest.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • DLG123
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:37pm

      Isles…
      You are truly a stand up dude… I have read several of your posts and assumed you were Catholic. I would not guessed you were Episcopalian… This is because your knowledge of the Church in your posts in other articles I have read… I would like to say THANK YOU for standing up for a faith even when you did not have to especially since it not yours faith that you felt you had to defend… Again my humblest Thanks to you! May God Almighty smile upon you and your household… May the Lord’s Peace remain with you always.
      DLG

      Report Post » DLG123  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 7:48pm

      DLG, thank you. I truly wish I could become Roman Catholic, especially as Anglicanism seems to be fracturing all around me and the vision I was raised with is now held by so very few in my Communion. There is far, far more that unites me to Rome than separates me. But alas, it only takes one doctrine to keep me from saying with a clean conscience that I subscribe completely to what Rome teaches, which is what I would have to do as a convert. I would like to ask you to pay that I get over those barriers, but the same convictions that keep me from fully assenting also would question that request. But I am sure you’d pray it anyways whether I asked for it or not. ;-)

      So I can only stand on the sidelines and cheer on those good things in the Roman church, and the good things in ALL churches. Happily, Rome has made clear that such “wayward sheep” as I, though outside the FULL church, are nevertheless still part of Christ. So even if I am wrong in stubbornly clinging to the few Protestant ideas I have left, I don’t worry about being on the outside when I get past this mortal coil.

      Besides, I have been told by those who have swum the Tiber that it is easier for people like me to love Rome from the outside than after you enter and the messy reality sets in. It’s like romantic love before the wedding. She’s heaven on earth, until you get into bed and you find she has sharp toenails. :-)

      Pax Dei, and Have a Nicene Day

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • BonnieBlueFlag
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:08pm

    I am so sick of the gay agenda infiltrating the church I was married in. But, I guess things have come full circle. The Anglican faith(s) started from a lack of morals and are now back at square one. Oh well, time to move on. I will miss their traditions, as I dislike hippy rock-band churches. Sing the hymns; leave your broken rockstar dreams out of the sanctuary.

    Report Post » BonnieBlueFlag  
    • DLG123
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:31pm

      Bonnie
      I haven’t alway been Catholic but my family has and I “experimented” with different denominations but I found my home with the liturgy and the Eucharist. Once I started reading the Bible along with Early Church Fathers and the Catechism I found that The Catholic Church is what I had been looking for for so many years. Another thing that I like is the music at a Traditional Mass (Organ or Piano @ Noon Mass) and I have found a wonderful conservative priest and it has bolstered my faith in Jesus and His Church even more… True not all Priests are conservative but ours came from Vietnam and he and his family were persecuted for their faith so has an idea of government interventin in religion. we are so blessed to have him with us. The Church is not for everyone which is totally fine with me but being an Anglican it is kinda like being a brother (or sister in your case) from another mother. Mother Church that is… I hope you journey to whatever denomination you decide on is an smooth transition.

      Peace of the Lord be with you.
      DLG

      Report Post » DLG123  
    • BonnieBlueFlag
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:45pm

      @ DLG

      What a sweet and sincere message you posted, thank you for that. I have always admired the Catholic Church because more than any other Christian denomination they “walk the walk.” The Catholics seem to want to improve the lives of sinners here on earth as well as spread the Good News. The Catholic Church follows Christ‘s example of feeding and clothing the needy while also telling of God’s grace. You will know them by their fruits.

      Report Post » BonnieBlueFlag  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 7:32pm

      “The Anglican faith(s) started from a lack of morals and are now back at square one.”

      That is simply not true. Even if one considers the Anglican faith started by Henry VIII, which it wasn’t, it still wouldn‘t be right to say lack of morals was the Cause of Henry’s breach with Rome. The Pope never showed much reluctance to allow for royal divorces before Henry asked for one, and if one looks at the history of divorces, I mean annulments (cough, cough) there is plenty of scandal there still in the Roman church. Just look up Ted Kennedy’s annulment from his first wife Joan.

      The real reason Rome would not grant Henry a divocre/annulment was because Henry’s wife Catherine was the aunt of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V who had political control of Rome. It wassafer to anger a king far away than an emperor on your doorstep.

      The critical flaw of Anglicanism’s beginning has nothing to do with sexual immorality. It has everything to do with the Erastian subordination of the Church of England to the political kingdom of England. An established church always works to choke off the church’s true spiritual power.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Dudley Do-Right
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 8:17pm

      And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

      Bears repeating…and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it!

      We ain’t perfect, but we know how this story ends!

      Report Post »  
  • proliance
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 6:01pm

    The Protestant Episcopalian Church allows gay marriage, has an openly gay bishop, celebrates civil unions in church and you want to bring up the Catholic Church?

    Report Post » proliance  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:56pm

    Episcopal is Latin for Keister Pirate

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:53pm

    one of the worst governors ever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i ran out of the state of nj when he became governor what a horrible horrible politician, and an even worse human being

    and he wants to be a man of the cloth??????????? BWAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHAAAA

    MAYBE HE SHOULD JOIN REV. WRIGHTS CHURCH AND PREACH TO OBAMA

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • mill
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:47pm

    bobodu…..BOBODU!!!!!
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:36pm

    No…he should join the ever growing ranks of Republicans who have been for out for having affairs.
    *************************************************************************************************

    WOW!!! SOUNDS LIKE THIS WHOLE THING WENT RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD WITHOUT STOPPING

    Report Post »  
  • BetterDays
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:44pm

    Perhaps not his best choice based upon his past. If a church accepted him, they either believe he’s changed within his heart and has repented, or they ain‘t no church I’m going to.
    Slim to none, and slim just left town.

    Report Post »  
  • mill
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:40pm

    eeeewwwwwwwwwwww….so right..
    Oh don’t get your religious hackles up out there..the truth will set you free
    He’s gay (who cares??? ), he’s an idoit, he has a messy public divorce, he runs to the priesthood to what?. save his soul, redeem the crap he spread around? Make himself more acceptable with the respect the priesthood imparts upon a person????
    Let him wait a couple of decades and work towards the public redemption. God will give him grace that the public will not , and should not, give him at this point.

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:40pm

    Once again spouting off your anti-Catholic bs, and no, I am not Catholic, just tired of mindless bigots spouting off their garbage.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:40pm

    Jimmy Boy is just another in the long line of DEMOCRAT Liars.(Oxymoron). Barry himself had a neat coupling with his college roommate . But you didn’t hear that from me.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Bhaub
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:07pm

      You… don’t know what oxymoron means, do you? It’s two contradictory terms. So in this case, you just said that “Democrat” and “liar” are opposites. Good work making the Blaze seem like a bastion of intellect! Or were you just pointing out that it’s usually Republicans who lie in their marriages…?

      Report Post » Bhaub  
  • lmy6545
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:39pm

    was it a church leader that called him a jack-a? that would seem odd.

    Report Post »  
  • drphil69
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:38pm

    I guess the Episcopals will take anyone… shortage of priests maybe?

    Report Post »  
  • Deda1
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:37pm

    1st, God doesn’t hate gays,but this man has not accepted the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Word of God. No matter how you cut it if you are a practicing gay you are wrong and should not be a church leader. Now any church which condones this activity is not Christian. Keep in mind Jesus never advocated voilence against gays or anyone else.

    Report Post »  
    • Jack Russell
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 7:31pm

      Perfectly accurate post, DEDA1. Two thumbs up!

      Report Post » Jack Russell  
    • BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 1:00am

      Deda1
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:37pm
      1st, God doesn’t hate gays
      ————————————————————————————————————————————————-
      I’m not so sure I understand how you can speak for God. Although I agree with you for the latter part of your post, I would not assume anything about God. God did destroy the entire city of Sodom by fire because it was filled with homosexuality. I don’t know if you would call that hatred of “gays” as you term it, but I think it would be fair to call homosexual behavior something that He really doesn’t like too much since He destroyed a city that was full of it.

      Ohh did you hear how Rachel Maddow is trying to get people in the media to come out of the closet. Interesting parallel isn’t it !!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Bhaub
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:02pm

      On a similar point, Lot was considered a great man because – rather than allow two male angels to be raped by men – he offered up his daughters!

      So remember: God hates gays but loooooves raped female children. Pray on it.

      Report Post » Bhaub  
  • Gold Coin & Economic News
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:37pm

    The branch of the Episcopal church that tolerates this nonsense is no church at all.

    Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
  • bobodu
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:36pm

    No…he should join the ever growing ranks of Republicans who have been for out for having affairs.

    Report Post »  
  • sooner12
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:36pm

    Who cares.

    Report Post »  
  • Obama Bin Lying
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:32pm

    Maybe if he said he buggerd little boys…that would have been different.

    Ok, I am going to hell for that one

    Report Post » Obama Bin Lying  
    • mill
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:44pm

      don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of company

      Report Post »  
  • Agentuntomyself
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 5:31pm

    Wow. If this guy indeed just married this woman and had a child so that he could look like the all-american family man for election purposes, that is just evil. From the story it sounds like he used a public forum to come out of the closet – didn’t even have the decency to let his wife know beforehand. How humiliating for her. Don’t blame the church for not wanting someone like this to serve as a minister. What a jerk.

    Report Post »  
    • EZDOZIT
      Posted on April 25, 2011 at 9:39pm

      Democrat Congressman Barry Franks did this also. He was married with two children when he got caught in the House bathroom having sex with a male intern. The democrats won’t kick anyone out;not going to lose a vote.

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 9:27am

      ……..
      Let’s just say that in NJ he was known as “McGravy”.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Bhaub
      Posted on April 26, 2011 at 12:01pm

      If only he could have married another man and not had to mask his real self just to be accepted by society.

      Report Post » Bhaub  
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