Courage to love : a gay priest stands up for his beliefs / Will Leckie and Barry Stopfel.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [289]-291).

No one should have to endure what Rev. Barry Stopfel and his gay companion Will Leckie have. As a Christian, Stopfel loves God, so much so that he committed his life to serving the church as an Episcopal priest. He has also committed himself to a relationship with the person he loves, Will Leckie. In his eyes, loving God and loving Will need not be mutually exclusive. And Barry and Will paid a high price for their love of God and each other. Until 1995, the personal cost was a private matter. But then the Episcopal Church decided to put retired Bishop Walter Righter on trial for heresy for ordaining Barry as an openly gay priest. Barry's openly gay lifestyle forced him into the spotlight of theological and public debate. Stopfel and Leckie's life together is a microcosm of our turbulent times. Homosexuality is a hot-button issue for us, and raises questions about legal recognition of same-sex marriages, health care, and benefits for same-sex partners, job discrimination, homophobia, and AIDS.--Adapted from publisher description.