New Site Seeks to Out D.C. Priests

In response to growing opposition against LGBT rights from the Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., a new website has launched to out priests in the archdiocese who are socially known to be gay but remain closeted in their parishes.

ChurchOuting.org was founded by Phil Attey, who shared a press release with Joe. My. God Wednesday.

"ChurchOuting.org is a clearinghouse for reports of priests who are openly gay men in social settings yet professionally closeted in their parishes," said Attey. "The campaign will also accept reports of heterosexual priests who are involved in romantic or sexual relationships, yet support the Archbishop's efforts to harm lesbian and gay families."

Readers are encouraged to share their tips with ChurchOuting.org.

"ChurchOuting.org provides an easy to use form to privately report priests in the Archdiocese who engage in romantic or sexual relationships, including detailed stories if available. Reports, once verified, will be used to pressure reported priests to vocally oppose the leadership's anti-gay efforts, and ultimately to pressure the Archbishop to stop his anti-gay efforts here in Washington."

The archdiocese in Washington, D.C. recently declared it would stop providing vital social services rather than comply with any potential new laws that would require it to provide benefits for its employees' same-sex domestic partners. The church contracts with the city to help address issues like homelessness and health care.