Minister Reflects on Attention

No one expected any surprises from the voice.

Soft but deep, expressive but studied, at once undoubtedly American and somehow Churchillian, the voice had become a steadying influence at the University.

It had lectured to dozens of divinity students. It had delivered hundreds of sermons to the ranks of Harvardians sitting in Memorial Church pews. The voice had even taken part in the inauguration of Presidents Bush and Reagan.

But this past November, the voice of the Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Plummer professor of Christian morals and minister of Memorial Church, made an announcement that stunned campuses and church communities around the nation.

Gomes had read a 56-page issue of the conservative magazine Peninsula--an issue devoted to articles critical of homosexuality--the day before. On a cool late autumn afternoon, and in the same booming tones and grammatically immaculate sentences with which he preaches, the voice carried a new message to students: Their minister is gay.

"I'm a Christian who also happens to be gay," Gomes announced at a Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Students Association (BGLSA) rally in front of Memorial Church that day. "These realities, which are irreconcilable to some, are reconcilable to me."

The BGLSA supporters, at once stunned and euphoric, hailed the announcement as a victory over campus conservatives.

"I was really proud," says Sandi L. Dubowski '92, former BGLSA cochair. "I feel like it was he biggest coup against people like [the AssociationAgainst Learning in the Absence of Religion andMorality] and Peninsula."

"I think every once in a while in a lifetimewhat you usually do must yield to what you mustdo," Gomes says now of his decision.

While Gomes won the support of the gay andlesbian community, he made enemies of someconservative Christian students.

Peninsula writers immediately attackedthe minister and Summer E. Anderson '92, thecontroversial former president of the RepublicanClub, publicly suggested that Gomes resign.

"I have great respect for Gomes' intellectualcapabilities and his personal integrity, butunless he openly admits homosexual behavior to besinful, I feel compelled to call for his immediateresignation as minister of Memorial Church," wroteAnderson in a November 20 letter to The Crimson.

Anderson says he is challenging Gomes on theissue of Biblical authority rather than on that ofpersonal sexual preference. Gomes was targeted notbecause he is gay but because he preaches thathomosexuality is not a sin, Anderson says.

"[My opposition to Gomes] revolves around theissue of homosexuality, but it's much deeper thanthat. It's about the Bible's authority," saysAnderson, who see Gomes' challenge to traditionalChristian teaching on homosexuality as a threat toother fundamental religious tenets.

"It's so clear that once [the sanction againsthomosexuality] does, that completely underminesthe Christian family," Anderson says.

Gomes a Baptist, says Peninsula staffershave warped Christian principles to suit their ownpurposes.

"Religion was used [by Peninsula] in ...a strident and perverse way to orchestrate anattack against homosexuality," Gomes told TheCrimson in November.

The debate has subsided somewhat this spring,but students on both sides of the issue say thatGomes's role on campus has clearly changed.

While he still enjoys strong support amongMemorial Church parishioners, some Christianstudents, deeply troubled by his announcement,privately express doubts about the minister.

Once simply the minister of one of the nation'smost high-profile, non-denominational churches,Gomes is now seen by many as more a source ofcontroversy than of guidance.

"It certainly does make him an activist for thegays on campus and outside," says ThomsonProfessor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield, afounder of the Madison Center for EducationalAffairs, which helps fund Peninsula.

"It changes his role from preacher of Christianmorals to promoter of the respectability of gays,"Mansfield says.

Gomes rejects the label of activist, but sayshe has noticed changes in how people view him.

"In one sense, I don't think my role haschanged at all," says Gomes. "The perception thatother people have of me has changed."

Renewed Attacks

The war of words that followed Gomes'announcement fadel away into Thanksgiving break.

But on February 20, Anderson and four otherstudents formed a group called ConcernedChristians at Harvard to campaign for theminister's resignation. At the time, Anderson saidhe expected between 80 and 100 people to join theorganization.

The next day, President Neil L. Rudenstineresponded with a written statement supportingGomes. "I do not believe that it is the task ofthe University to apply a doctrinal testconcerning issues that may be controversial butthat are part of current theological debate, wherereasonable people of different religiouspersuasions hold different views," Rudenstine saidin the statement.

Anderson shot back at Rudenstine in anotherwritten statement, calling the president "notheologian."

"We are deeply saddened that he has lentcredibility to Reverend Gomes' attempt to rewritethe Gospel of Christ," Anderson said in responseto the president's statement.

The national press took note of this heatedexchange, and news organizations including CNN,Times magazine and The Washington Postpicked up the story.

In the national spotlight, the opposing sidessharpened their tongues. The usually reservedGomes harshly criticized the students, whom hecharacterized as "young Buchanan Republicans" inan interview with The Post.

For its part, Concerned Christians garneredconsiderable media attention with a candlelightvigil held on the Memorial Church steps. Only 16students turned out for the vigil, butHollywood-based Manifold Productions was on handto film it for a PBS documentary.

The group also issued a press release askingthe University to look into allegations made by aformer Memorial Church employee.

Edwin R. Melhorn, who was fired by Gomes in May1987, said the minister mismanaged Memorial Churchfunds, created budget deficits and violatedanti-nepotism rules by hiring another resident ofGomes' house.

Vice President and General Counsel DanielSteiner '54 said that the charges wereinvestigated and dismissed in 1987.

Gomes released a two paragraph statementdenying the allegations. Gomes is bound by aconfidentiality agreement--part of the settlementof Melhorn's employment dispute withHarvard--which prohibits him from discussing thespecific allegations, according to his attorney,Steven Brooks.

Gomes says that while he dislikes the nationalpress attention--sermons, not interviews, beinghis preferred form of self-expression--the addedattention is "part of the price" of making theNovember announcement.

"Maybe 14 out of my 15 minutes have run out,"says Gomes, referring to Andy Warhol's maxim thateveryone has his or her 15 minutes in thelimelight. "That's fine. I'm not trying to be aspokesman.

While Gomes claims to shun the role ofspokesperson, students on both sides of thehomosexuality issue say the minister'sannouncement makes him a more political figure oncampus.

"I think it's a very unfortunate circumstancefor Christians at Harvard to have Reverend Gomestake such a radical view on that issue," saysAnderson. "Essentially, now he has taken up thiscause."

Gay student leaders say Gomes is now a morepolitical figure because being openly homosexualis in some senses inherently an activiststatement.

"Every time someone comes out it's sort of anactivist statement," says Dubowski. "If he isstarting to play a different role, it opens up thedoor to a lot more discussion of homosexuality andChristianity."

Some Harvard community leaders feel that Gomes'role has not changed.

"I have not perceived any change in his role,"says Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III. "Hecontinues to draw large audience to MemorialChurch. Equally important, he remains one of themost popular College speakers for alumni."

Political Costs?

With Gomes addressing a controversial issue sodirectly, some religious leaders seem to bedistancing themselves form him. Local leaders ofvarious Christian denominations either refusedcomment for this article or did not returnrepeated telephone calls.

Gomes says he understands why some religiousleaders may be cool to him. But he adds that it isdifficult to find a complete consensus on anydoctrinal issue.

"I don't want to underestimate the fact thatfor some people, my views on homosexuality andscripture give them pause," Gomes says.

Some have wondered whether Gomes will suffer inthe political world, where, in some circles, beingopenly gay can make on a pariah.

A Washington Post article on Gomes stronglysuggested that the minister's announcement mighthurt his chances for further inaugurationinvitations.

But other Beltway insiders say Gomes willprobably be unaffected.

"I think Peter's connections to the Washingtonpolitical establishment are vastly overblown,"said Trevor Potter '78, a federal electioncommissioner in Washington and a member ofMemorial Church's visiting committee.

"I think he will continue to be in demand foralmost everything, everywhere," adds Potter, whois a Republican. "I think Peter's an example ofhonesty."

Gomes insists, however, that he is far fromwell-connected with political figures.

"I know hardly anyone in Washington," he says."The premise that I was the clerical ClarenceThomas is patently false."

Taking a Stand

Gomes say it was important for him to establisha position on homosexuality how, when manyChristian churches are again debating the issue.

"There is something to be said for taking someposition," says Gomes, adding that not taking aposition on homosexuality in this era can provokeunwanted curiosity.

While some Christians call homosexuality a sin,some gay and lesbian students say churches may betrying a atone for their own sins.

"Most religions are sexist, racist andhomophobic," says Dubowski, "and it's only in thiscentury that that has changed."

Conservatives concede the presence of internaldissent within several Christian churches.Concerned Christians leader Anderson says thosechurches that follow The Bible continue policiesprohibiting homosexuality among members.

Gomes says he expects churches to become "moreenlightened" as society does. "I think it is fairto say that churches are no more enlightened thanthe people in them," he says.

Examining the Issues

Gomes also stepped briefly into a campuswidedebate on race relations and the status of HarvardFoundation director S. Allen Counter.

Counter, a close friend of Gomes, wascriticized by The Crimson and some students forwhat some termed the insensitive tone of a letterhe wrote to the newspaper in April.

The minister, who authored the report thatrecommended the Foundation's creation, backedCounter, but the debate that dominated the campusfor weeks continues to trouble Gomes.

Heated debates about race and homosexualitydemonstrate that Harvard has difficulty discussingserious issues calmly, says Gomes.

"The level and the volume of debate isincreasingly heated and loud," says Gomes, "butthe ability to step back and examine the issues isa very rare quality."

Gomes may have reason to be wary of thevolatile campus atmosphere. Concerned Christiansleaders say the group will continue to pursueGomes' resignation. The group also plans to act asa resource for Christian first-years who may beupset to find the University chaplain is gay,Anderson says.

At the same time, BGLSA members say they hopeGomes will participate in their organization'sevents next year. And that could provoke even morecriticism from Concerned Christians.

Gomes says he will consider invitations fromthe BGLSA just as he considers invitations fromother groups. In the same deep, calm tones withwhich he delivers sermons, Gomes says he willnever bow to pressure from Concerned Christians orany other group.

"If I have one virtue--which some may call avice--it is consistency," he says.Crimson File PhotoThe Rev. PETER J. GOMES

"I think every once in a while in a lifetimewhat you usually do must yield to what you mustdo," Gomes says now of his decision.

While Gomes won the support of the gay andlesbian community, he made enemies of someconservative Christian students.

Peninsula writers immediately attackedthe minister and Summer E. Anderson '92, thecontroversial former president of the RepublicanClub, publicly suggested that Gomes resign.

"I have great respect for Gomes' intellectualcapabilities and his personal integrity, butunless he openly admits homosexual behavior to besinful, I feel compelled to call for his immediateresignation as minister of Memorial Church," wroteAnderson in a November 20 letter to The Crimson.

Anderson says he is challenging Gomes on theissue of Biblical authority rather than on that ofpersonal sexual preference. Gomes was targeted notbecause he is gay but because he preaches thathomosexuality is not a sin, Anderson says.

"[My opposition to Gomes] revolves around theissue of homosexuality, but it's much deeper thanthat. It's about the Bible's authority," saysAnderson, who see Gomes' challenge to traditionalChristian teaching on homosexuality as a threat toother fundamental religious tenets.

"It's so clear that once [the sanction againsthomosexuality] does, that completely underminesthe Christian family," Anderson says.

Gomes a Baptist, says Peninsula staffershave warped Christian principles to suit their ownpurposes.

"Religion was used [by Peninsula] in ...a strident and perverse way to orchestrate anattack against homosexuality," Gomes told TheCrimson in November.

The debate has subsided somewhat this spring,but students on both sides of the issue say thatGomes's role on campus has clearly changed.

While he still enjoys strong support amongMemorial Church parishioners, some Christianstudents, deeply troubled by his announcement,privately express doubts about the minister.

Once simply the minister of one of the nation'smost high-profile, non-denominational churches,Gomes is now seen by many as more a source ofcontroversy than of guidance.

"It certainly does make him an activist for thegays on campus and outside," says ThomsonProfessor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield, afounder of the Madison Center for EducationalAffairs, which helps fund Peninsula.

"It changes his role from preacher of Christianmorals to promoter of the respectability of gays,"Mansfield says.

Gomes rejects the label of activist, but sayshe has noticed changes in how people view him.

"In one sense, I don't think my role haschanged at all," says Gomes. "The perception thatother people have of me has changed."

Renewed Attacks

The war of words that followed Gomes'announcement fadel away into Thanksgiving break.

But on February 20, Anderson and four otherstudents formed a group called ConcernedChristians at Harvard to campaign for theminister's resignation. At the time, Anderson saidhe expected between 80 and 100 people to join theorganization.

The next day, President Neil L. Rudenstineresponded with a written statement supportingGomes. "I do not believe that it is the task ofthe University to apply a doctrinal testconcerning issues that may be controversial butthat are part of current theological debate, wherereasonable people of different religiouspersuasions hold different views," Rudenstine saidin the statement.

Anderson shot back at Rudenstine in anotherwritten statement, calling the president "notheologian."

"We are deeply saddened that he has lentcredibility to Reverend Gomes' attempt to rewritethe Gospel of Christ," Anderson said in responseto the president's statement.

The national press took note of this heatedexchange, and news organizations including CNN,Times magazine and The Washington Postpicked up the story.

In the national spotlight, the opposing sidessharpened their tongues. The usually reservedGomes harshly criticized the students, whom hecharacterized as "young Buchanan Republicans" inan interview with The Post.

For its part, Concerned Christians garneredconsiderable media attention with a candlelightvigil held on the Memorial Church steps. Only 16students turned out for the vigil, butHollywood-based Manifold Productions was on handto film it for a PBS documentary.

The group also issued a press release askingthe University to look into allegations made by aformer Memorial Church employee.

Edwin R. Melhorn, who was fired by Gomes in May1987, said the minister mismanaged Memorial Churchfunds, created budget deficits and violatedanti-nepotism rules by hiring another resident ofGomes' house.

Vice President and General Counsel DanielSteiner '54 said that the charges wereinvestigated and dismissed in 1987.

Gomes released a two paragraph statementdenying the allegations. Gomes is bound by aconfidentiality agreement--part of the settlementof Melhorn's employment dispute withHarvard--which prohibits him from discussing thespecific allegations, according to his attorney,Steven Brooks.

Gomes says that while he dislikes the nationalpress attention--sermons, not interviews, beinghis preferred form of self-expression--the addedattention is "part of the price" of making theNovember announcement.

"Maybe 14 out of my 15 minutes have run out,"says Gomes, referring to Andy Warhol's maxim thateveryone has his or her 15 minutes in thelimelight. "That's fine. I'm not trying to be aspokesman.

While Gomes claims to shun the role ofspokesperson, students on both sides of thehomosexuality issue say the minister'sannouncement makes him a more political figure oncampus.

"I think it's a very unfortunate circumstancefor Christians at Harvard to have Reverend Gomestake such a radical view on that issue," saysAnderson. "Essentially, now he has taken up thiscause."

Gay student leaders say Gomes is now a morepolitical figure because being openly homosexualis in some senses inherently an activiststatement.

"Every time someone comes out it's sort of anactivist statement," says Dubowski. "If he isstarting to play a different role, it opens up thedoor to a lot more discussion of homosexuality andChristianity."

Some Harvard community leaders feel that Gomes'role has not changed.

"I have not perceived any change in his role,"says Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III. "Hecontinues to draw large audience to MemorialChurch. Equally important, he remains one of themost popular College speakers for alumni."

Political Costs?

With Gomes addressing a controversial issue sodirectly, some religious leaders seem to bedistancing themselves form him. Local leaders ofvarious Christian denominations either refusedcomment for this article or did not returnrepeated telephone calls.

Gomes says he understands why some religiousleaders may be cool to him. But he adds that it isdifficult to find a complete consensus on anydoctrinal issue.

"I don't want to underestimate the fact thatfor some people, my views on homosexuality andscripture give them pause," Gomes says.

Some have wondered whether Gomes will suffer inthe political world, where, in some circles, beingopenly gay can make on a pariah.

A Washington Post article on Gomes stronglysuggested that the minister's announcement mighthurt his chances for further inaugurationinvitations.

But other Beltway insiders say Gomes willprobably be unaffected.

"I think Peter's connections to the Washingtonpolitical establishment are vastly overblown,"said Trevor Potter '78, a federal electioncommissioner in Washington and a member ofMemorial Church's visiting committee.

"I think he will continue to be in demand foralmost everything, everywhere," adds Potter, whois a Republican. "I think Peter's an example ofhonesty."

Gomes insists, however, that he is far fromwell-connected with political figures.

"I know hardly anyone in Washington," he says."The premise that I was the clerical ClarenceThomas is patently false."

Taking a Stand

Gomes say it was important for him to establisha position on homosexuality how, when manyChristian churches are again debating the issue.

"There is something to be said for taking someposition," says Gomes, adding that not taking aposition on homosexuality in this era can provokeunwanted curiosity.

While some Christians call homosexuality a sin,some gay and lesbian students say churches may betrying a atone for their own sins.

"Most religions are sexist, racist andhomophobic," says Dubowski, "and it's only in thiscentury that that has changed."

Conservatives concede the presence of internaldissent within several Christian churches.Concerned Christians leader Anderson says thosechurches that follow The Bible continue policiesprohibiting homosexuality among members.

Gomes says he expects churches to become "moreenlightened" as society does. "I think it is fairto say that churches are no more enlightened thanthe people in them," he says.

Examining the Issues

Gomes also stepped briefly into a campuswidedebate on race relations and the status of HarvardFoundation director S. Allen Counter.

Counter, a close friend of Gomes, wascriticized by The Crimson and some students forwhat some termed the insensitive tone of a letterhe wrote to the newspaper in April.

The minister, who authored the report thatrecommended the Foundation's creation, backedCounter, but the debate that dominated the campusfor weeks continues to trouble Gomes.

Heated debates about race and homosexualitydemonstrate that Harvard has difficulty discussingserious issues calmly, says Gomes.

"The level and the volume of debate isincreasingly heated and loud," says Gomes, "butthe ability to step back and examine the issues isa very rare quality."

Gomes may have reason to be wary of thevolatile campus atmosphere. Concerned Christiansleaders say the group will continue to pursueGomes' resignation. The group also plans to act asa resource for Christian first-years who may beupset to find the University chaplain is gay,Anderson says.

At the same time, BGLSA members say they hopeGomes will participate in their organization'sevents next year. And that could provoke even morecriticism from Concerned Christians.

Gomes says he will consider invitations fromthe BGLSA just as he considers invitations fromother groups. In the same deep, calm tones withwhich he delivers sermons, Gomes says he willnever bow to pressure from Concerned Christians orany other group.

"If I have one virtue--which some may call avice--it is consistency," he says.Crimson File PhotoThe Rev. PETER J. GOMES