Priest shocks congregation by divorcing wife and marrying a man
A congregation was in for a big surprise recently when their priest came out as gay before divorcing his wife and marrying a younger man.
Rev. Juan Andres Quevedo-Bosch, from New York City, came out as gay at the pulpit a just over a month ago.
And on a Facebook post this week, he announced that he recently got married in a Los Angeles church.
“I’m in Miami Beach with my new husband. God is good,” he wrote in a caption of a picture on the beach.
However, Quevedo-Bosch’s has faced some backlash over his recent life change, with many parishioners have severed ties to the church since he came out.
“Most of the people aren’t coming anymore,” an elderly parishioner told the New York Post. “Because he’s homosexual, people have stopped coming.”
However, despite some criticism from the less liberal of his flock, there are many people in the largely Hispanic congregation who are supporting their priest, especially after he publicly offered to resign, the woman added.
A petition was eventually circulated, urging him to stay.
In a recent interview, Quevedo-Bosch would not answer questions about his former wife Adria or their divorce. He also revealed little about his new marriage to the unidentified man.
“I am aware that there have been concerns regarding my divorce and subsequent remarriage and have been in touch with my bishop and my congregation about them,” he said.
Bishop Larry Provenzano, head of the Quevedo-Bosch’s diocese, he has said that he has been in touch with Quevedo-Bosch “as is customary in personal matters that involve divorce and remarriage.” He said the priest has his full support.
“Priests who wish to enter into same-gender marriage are approved to do so in the Episcopal Church and in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island,” Provenzano said.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Episcopal Church voted to allow same-sex marriage in the church.
Last year, a senior Scottish Episcopal spoke out in support of equal marriage, rebuking earlier criticisms made about same-sex unions.
