Years ago, the Orthodox Christian Church held that it was a mortal sin—“usury”—to pay or charge interest on a loan. Divorce was out of the question. Even the “mixing of families” when separated spouses met new mates was forbidden. But as society changed, so did the church. Today, who doesn’t use a credit card? Divorce is regrettably common. A church that likes to brag that it “hasn’t changed in 2,000 years” has, in fact, changed dramatically.
Yet, last week, the parish’s priest at my childhood church in Pittsburgh told me I couldn’t take communion, our faith’s highest sacrament—and that, if I approached the altar to receive it, he’d refuse. Because I am a gay man.
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