BishopAccountability.org
	Scandal Lingers over St. Pats Mass By Joshua Robin New York Newsday [New York] August 15, 2005 Rev. Msgr. Eugene Clark's name was absent from the welcome placards at St. Patrick's Cathedral and was not mentioned in the Sunday homily. Still, the specter of the scandal-sullied priest hung over Sunday's mass -- the first since Clark resigned last week as the cathedral's rector amid charges he was having an affair with his secretary. Three gay-rights protesters stood outside the church's doors, demanding Clark apologize for his previous statements attacking homosexuality, including suggesting it was behind the recent priest abuse scandal. And many Catholic congregants attending services said that Clark's relationship -- which he maintains was entirely platonic -- was nonetheless a sign that significant changes are needed within the Church, including allowing greater roles for women, married men and openly gay people. The church can no longer expect all its leaders to remain celibate, they said. "Catholic priests are supposed to be celibate, but sometimes things don't work out that way," Jerry Brunetti, 66, a professor of education at St. Mary's College of California, visiting the church. "They're way behind the matter and acting very stupid," he added, referring to church leaders. Clark's resignation Thursday came after the release of a video showing him entering a motel with his longtime secretary, Laura DeFilippo. The pair then were shown emerging several hours later wearing different clothes. DeFilippo is embroiled in a nasty divorce with her husband. While a positive move, stepping down wasn't enough, said Brendan Fay, a longtime gay activist from Astoria involved with the gay Catholic Group Dignity. Speaking to reporters in front of the church yesterday, he called on Clark to apologize for past statements in which the clergyman railed against homosexuality, including calling gay relationships "truly sinful." "He linked the sex abuse scandal -- you know, the sex abuse in the Catholic Church -- with the gay community. He blamed the gay community for this crisis," said he said as a fellow protester yelled: "Hypocrisy! Apologize!" Fay also called on Edward Cardinal Egan to address the latest scandal. Egan was not at yesterday's service. A spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, Joseph Zwilling, did not return a call yesterday.