"Gay Episcopal Priest Dead of AIDS-Related Disease"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Gay Episcopal Priest Dead of AIDS-Related Disease"

United Press International (12/27/92)

Abstract: Boston--The first openly homosexual priest in the Episcopal Church has died of AIDS. After a fight against the disease for several years, the Rev. J. Robert Williams succumbed to a pulmonary infection Christmas Eve at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was 37 years old. In 1989, Williams was ordained in New Jersey by Bishop John Spong, the controversial head of the church's Newark diocese. Williams headed The Oasis, a Hoboken, N.J., ministry to gay men and women. He was asked to resign a few weeks after his ordination because he said in a speech that Mother Theresa, the Nobel-winning Catholic nun, should have sex and called monogamy as unnatural as celibacy. Subsequently he moved to Provincetown, Mass., where he joined a small denomination, the Western Orthodox Catholic Church, and operated a healing ministry. He published one book, "Just As I Am: A Practical Guide to Being Out, Proud, and Christian," and was working on a second book at the time of his death.

921227
AD922498

Copyright © 1992 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1992. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.