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Top catholic church official resigns after reports of his gay bar visits

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On July 20, Catholic officials announced that Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill resigned from his duties as General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The USCCB released a statement on Tuesday saying, “On Monday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops became aware of impending media reports alleging possible improper behavior by its general secretary, Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill.” They went on to say that there was currently no evidence of Burrill conducting sexual misconduct with minors and that he had resigned, effective immediately, so as to not to be a distraction to the work of the conference.

Catholic priests, bishops, deacons, etc. take vows of celibacy. In addition, the Catholic church is against sex outside of marriage, as well as homosexuality. Jose H. Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles and president of the conference released a memo on Tuesday repeating several points from the USCCB statement, adding that they would continue to address the allegations.

He also stated that Friar Michael Fuller had been appointed to be the interim General Secretary until the next election for the position. He requested prayers for Burrill and the conference and encouraged people to find strength in God.

The Pillar, a Catholic magazine, reported that Burrill was elected to his position in November 2020 and was the highest ranking member of the USCCB who was not a bishop. He was a priest from Wisconsin and had begun getting involved in the USCCB in 2016. Reports taken from his phone’s history showed that he had used Grindr a considerable amount of time during the past three years, during travel to events, in the housing provided for him, and in his office. 

ARTICLE: RITA VOGT

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: NEW YORK POST

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