Chestnut Hill College releases 2nd statement on gay priest dismissal

Chestnut Hill College Statement Regarding Jim St. George

Thursday, March 3, 2011

With regard to the recent coverage of Chestnut Hill College and Jim St. George, we express our sorrow for not communicating our decision, rife with complex and complicating factors, clearly.

Our decision has been sensationalized and distorted becoming a source of deep pain and anguish for the members of our College Community, especially for those who are gay, as well as for our gay alumni, friends, benefactors, and neighbors. We ache for the negative impact this story is having on them. Likewise, we are sincerely sorry for the confusion and misinterpretation of facts that led people to draw conclusions about Chestnut Hill College that are inconsistent with our history.

We are an inclusive Catholic community that welcomes women and men from all religious faiths, cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles. We value diversity and strive to treat every person with the respect, dignity, love, and compassion due a child of God. Are we perfect in living this aspect of our mission? No. Do we strive constantly to improve? Yes. We regret any instance in which we fail to exemplify the values and beliefs intrinsic to our College.

It is our deepest hope that, ultimately, this divisive, painful experience will unify the Chestnut Hill College Community, and all those close to us, in a new and stronger bond so that we may strengthen our commitment to diversity and demonstrate our determination to work for justice, equality, and peace for each and every person.

Chestnut Hill College is reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure that this situation never happens again.