Gay Man Says Catholic Group Barred Him From Top Board Spot

A member of a St. Louis Catholic charity’s board said he was barred by the organization from seeking the panel’s presidency because he is gay, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes.

Jeffrey Goldone, who has served five years as vice president of the board of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Louis, said he was dropped from the candidate list for president several weeks after being nominated in May. In an August 2 letter to “fellow Vincentians,” Mr. Goldone said he was told his candidacy could bring “shame and embarrassment” to the organization.

The international society’s rules assert opposition to “discrimination of all kinds” but also state that local dioceses have a duty to ensure that their activities are not “contrary to Catholic faith or morals.” Zip Rzeppa, the St. Louis group’s executive director, said Mr. Goldone “has done much good” but that he “disqualified himself for the position of president by choosing to live a lifestyle of illicit sexual union.”