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Published: July 27, 2007

“He is not working toward ordination”

Episcopal diocese clarifies status of ex-porn star who says he wants to be a priest

California Catholic Daily has received the following clarification to our story of July 26 from Janet Kawamoto, director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:

Concerning the article titled Is pornography a sin? Former porn star now wants to be a priest in the Episcopal Church that appears on the California Catholic Daily web site:

The July 15 New York Times article, reprinted in the San Francisco Chronicle, from which this article was apparently adapted, contained several serious misstatements. The Times published this correction on Sunday, July 22:

Correction: July 22, 2007, Sunday -- An article in Sunday Styles last week about Ronald Boyer, a former actor in pornographic movies who has expressed the desire to be an Episcopal priest, referred incorrectly to his progress toward that goal. He has been confirmed in the church; he is not working toward ordination as a priest or undergoing training to be a deacon. The article also referred incorrectly to efforts by Mr. Boyer to establish a ministry among sex workers. He discussed the plan with the vicar of his church; he did not meet with the second-ranking official of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Bishop Suffragan Chester L. Talton.

In addition, Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles sent the following letter to the Times:

To the editor:

I would like to clear some factual errors in the article by reporter Sharon Waxman, ‘Man of the Flesh to Man of the Cloth,’ (Sunday July 15, Fashion and Style).

Mr. Ronald Boyer is not in any process for ordination in The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles. He has expressed an interest in ordained ministry, as do dozens of people every year. But the path to ordination is a long, careful, deliberate process, beginning with a discernment committee in the applicant’s own congregation, which over a period of time arrives at a prayerful recommendation as to whether or not to support the person’s application. At the diocesan level, the process involves the bishops, the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committee of the diocese to ensure that candidates have an authentic call to ordained ministry, and that they are thoroughly trained and educated for the job. In other words, the decision to become a priest does not rest solely with the individual, and so far Mr. Boyer has taken none of the steps that would make him a viable candidate for ordination.

The article stated that Mr. Boyer met ‘with the second-ranking official of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Bishop Suffragan Chester L. Talton, to gain approval to establish a ministry among sex workers.’ In fact, Mr. Boyer has not met with any of the bishops of the Diocese.

As Christians, we always rejoice at the news that a person has been transformed by the gospel of Christ into new life, leaving behind attitudes or activities that separate him or her from the love and mercy of God. In the Episcopal Church, all baptized members are invited to be involved in worthwhile and fulfilling forms of ministry, many of which do not require ordination. We encourage Mr. Boyer to continue seeking for the path that our Lord intends for him.

The Right Reverend J. Jon Bruno
Bishop
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

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