Mesa, AZ Priest Takes Leave of Absence

Another Catholic priest has resigned abruptly and will take a leave of absence. The Rev. Chris Carpenter told parishioners at Christ the King Church in Mesa of his decision over the weekend.

Carpenter, a leader in the Phoenix Diocese's ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, already had a three-month sabbatical planned for this year. "But I feel the need for a more extended period of time off to try to resolve some health and other concerns," he told parishioners.
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Carpenter was one of nine priests who signed the Phoenix Declaration, a statement affirming gay rights put together by clergy from several Christian denominations. He is the sixth signer to leave his job....Carpenter's departure comes six weeks after a priest at a neighboring parish, Queen of Peace, resigned because of what he called "aggressively anti-gay" positions taken by the Vatican in terms of recruiting priests...Carpenter is the fourth Mesa pastor to leave his job since Olmsted became bishop in late 2002.

Source - the Arizona Republic