The former Fr. Dean McFalls just became a father in the literal sense, as the Stockton, California priest announced that he is resigning as pastor of St. Mary’s Church in order to welcome a baby boy into his life.
The popular priest’s departure has been met with disappointment from his congregation, some of whom believe “it’s time for the Catholic church to re-evaluate its long-held tradition requiring priests to be celibate and unmarried.” Parishioner Natalie Lerma, who has known McFalls for two decades, thinks that his resignation is a huge loss, commenting, “I don’t think babies are wrong and I don’t think loving people is wrong, so maybe I think it’s time we look at things differently.”
McFalls discussed the Church’s rules against marriage in an interview with News10, saying, “If the situation in the Catholic Church were different, I would be a better man. More stable, more effective in the long run as a human being.” CBS Sacramento reported that McFalls commented, “Maybe there will be a time again when priests can marry as they did for the first 1,000 years in the life of the church, but I really don’t want to argue that as a justification for what’s happened to me.”
Archbishop Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, noted earlier this month that the church needs to “reflect the democratic spirit of the times,” potentially opening the issue of priestly celibacy up for discussion.
McFalls’ son, Gabriel, was born shortly after the announcement, reports FOX40. He has not identified the mother of his child.
McFalls announced his departure to his congregation by reading a statement during mass, apologizing for his actions and openly stating the reason. (Huffpost)
Several months ago, 7News reported that former Catholic Priest Kevin Lee, resigned as Parish Priest of Padre Pio Church in Penrith NSW. He had openly admitted to the congregation that he has married a woman from the Philippines.
Shortly after the announcement, Bishop Anthony Fisher of the Parramatta Diocese appointed an administrator to the vacated parish. Just a few days ago, it was reported by Australian media that the former priest, now Mr. Kevin Lee died in the Philippines at the height of Typhoon Yolanda (Int’l code name Haiyan.)