Earlier this month, I wrote a disturbing
column on J. David Enright IV, a New York man who
The
New York Post claimed was suing the Catholic
Church for $5 million because a priest that molested
him supposedly turned him gay. I interviewed Mr. Enright
and he now claims that the Post got it wrong, saying
he was "devastated" by the article.
"I'm a proud gay man. I'm out to do good."
Indeed, Mr. Enright has had his hand in gay issues in
the past, usually behind the scenes. I have obtained
his letter to the Editor that he sent to The New
York Post. Here is the text:
Dear
Editor,
I wish to make it perfectly clear that I never said
or implied that Father Joseph Romano "made me gay."
My issues with Father Romano and the Holy Roman
Catholic Church are considerably larger.
Although the New York Post reporter, in a two-three
hour taped interview, made every effort to sensationalize
the story by blaming Father Romano for my sexual
preference, he ignored my true response to this
matter. I said: I don't believe that the finest
psychiatrist in the world could responsibly say
that Romano "made me gay."
I
am taped stating this twice. I admit that Romano
may have caused an important introduction to such
deviate behavior given his acts and stature at
the time.
There exists far more significant blame on Romano
for pedophilia and his collar and subsequent continued
cover-up by a knowing Bishop.
J. David Enright IV
New York City
I spoke to a source at The New York Post
who stands by the story. In any case, I think this
is a story worthy of further examination. It is good
to see that Mr. Enright has publicly clarified that
he does not believe the myth that pedophilia causes
homosexuality. He also says that:
"I
abhor everything that the Religious Right stands for
and it would break my heart to see them twist my words
to hurt a movement that I have been a part of."
Mr. Enright says he is suing because of the sexual abuse,
not because the priest made him gay. "I want to counter
this misconception," he told me. I'm glad that Mr. Enright
has moved forward and taken key steps to clear his name
and get to the bottom of his lawsuit.
