Wisconsin Priest Tells Parishioners He's Gay, Gets Ovation

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Rev. Gregory Greiten disclosed his sexual orientation on Sunday to the St. Bernadette Parish and was greeted with a standing ovation from his parishioners.

Greiten said: It's rare for a priest to come out. He revealed his sexual orientation because he wants to be a role model for others.

Greiten wrote that has decided to stand with the "few courageous priests who have taken the risk to come out of the shadows and have chosen to live in truth and authenticity."

Greiten believes that there are between 8,554 and 21,571 gay Catholic priests in the United States.

He writes that a change in policy is necessary since priests who are forced to remain in the closet make great efforts to do so.

He cites a book titled The Changing Face of the Priesthood by author Donald B. Cozzens.

Greiten argues this energy would be better spent helping the community.

Greiten met with Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki before coming out, according to an archdiocese spokeswoman.

"We support Father Greiten in his own personal journey and telling his story of coming to understand and live with his sexual orientation," Listecki said in a statement Monday. "As the Church teaches, those with same-sex attraction must be treated with understanding and compassion."

This past May, Greiten celebrated a milestone - 25 years as a priest.