N.Y. seminary sued for pro-gay teachings (7526)

A Long Island man filed a suit with the New York supreme court January 17, alleging that the diocese of Rockville Centre expelled him from its theology program for threatening to publicly criticize its teachings and materials that support gay and lesbian Christians.

The $2 million suit, brought by William Downey, 57, names Bishop William Murphy and other officials as responsible for fraud and breach of contract. "For our seminary to teach notions that run contrary to authentic Catholic theology--in fact, to teach a condemned heresy that permits one who molests children to sleep at night--has created the conditions under which the sex scandal is a natural by-product," Downey said.

Diocesan spokeswoman Joanne Novarro said Downey had not been expelled for criticizing the curriculum or for threatening to publicize his complaints and said the seminary is "a fine place."