Who are you?
I am a priest who married. I studied thirteen years in preparation for the Catholic priesthood receiving a B.A., a Masters in Religious Education (M.R.E.), and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.), majoring in Philosophy and Theology. I was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on June 22nd, 1969 by Cardinal Terence Cooke of New York for a Religious Order known as “The Redemptorists”. I spent most of my seventeen years as an active priest-cleric in Puerto Rico (I am bilingual in Spanish).
In 1986 I took a Leave of Absence from the clerical priesthood. In 1989 I met Fran Rousseau and we married in 1990.
I thought priests can't marry.
For starters, most of the apostles were married men and Jesus had no problem calling them to ministry while they were married. For the first 1100 years of the Roman Catholic Church’s existence most priests did marry, including bishops and at least thirty-nine Popes. Celibacy for priests wasn’t mandated into law until 1139.
What should we call you?
Whatever you feel most comfortable with. I prefer being called Ed but some couples feel more comfortable calling me Reverend or Father. Sometimes titles can create distance between people. What’s most important is for you and me to feel comfortable with each other and with the ceremony we create together.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy serious reading as well as historical novels. I also like most spectator sports especially football. Although I’m originally from Maryland, I now root for the New England teams. I enjoy walking the beach with Fran. My favorite outdoor activity is fishing. When younger, I was an avid jogger and enjoyed riding a bicycle. Now that I am retired, my plans are to ease back into both these sports once I retire. In the past I enjoyed sketching and wood carving. I enjoy listening to music from the 50's, 60's and 70's as well as classical music and light jazz.
What organization are you currently affiliated with?
I am a member of Rent-a-priest ( www.rentapriest.com ) and CORPUS ( www.corpus.org ).