Aug 15, 2008  |  By: ZACK ROSEN  | COMMENTS     

The Catholic Church may have a reputation for taking itself terribly seriously but that hasn’t stopped some of its faithful from finding humor in the religion’s rites and rituals.

Scott Pomfret’s “Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir,” released on June 10, is a humorous explorations of the pains and travails of simultaneously expressing one’s faith and sexuality.

Pomfret, a full-time gay romance and erotic writer, will be reading from the novel on Thursday at the D.C. Center as part of its OutWrite gay author series. “Last Confession” has resonated with readers and Pomfret frequently meets with them. He says many are using writing to conquer their own demons and find his book’s lighter tone a nice break.

“Every week, either at the church or at gay and lesbian groups, I see gay Catholics who are in visible pain,” he says. “I participate in discussion groups with people who are writing very frank, painful-to-read memoirs and reactions to the church. Some of these people have written to me afterwards and breathed a sigh of relief because having a moment of humor to address that is relieving. That said, one of them did bolt from the church two weeks later. I don’t think I’m saving anyone, just giving a little respite.”

“Last Confession” started as a year in the life of a gay Catholic, taking that week’s Bible reading and tackling it from Pomfret’s perspective. When the author found that approach was not working, he structured the narrative around his attempts to convince homophobic Boston cardinal Sean O’Malley that gay Catholics deserved as much respect as anyone else. Chapter subheadings like “The Naughty Altar Boy,” “Cruising for Catholics” and “Give Us This Our Daily YouTube” betray Pomfret’s glib sensibilities, which he said have been instrumental in making it through the difficulties of being a gay Catholic.

“A lot of what’s out there is either theology or [accounts] of how [one] was essentially abused by the church. I think that one of the keys to remaining a faithful person within the church is to be able to laugh if you’re gay. With the whole piety thing, you end up shameful, celibate, broken, unformed humans.

Paul Murray is another gay Catholic author who recently did readings of his own book, “Life in Paradox: The Story of a Gay Catholic Priest,” throughout the D.C. area. Released on July 25, “Life in Paradox,” is a more straightforward account of gay religious life, but he shares Pomfret’s opinion that such narratives provide a service to those who read them.

“I’ve had people thank me for writing this book and for providing this account that resonates with their own experience,” Murray says. “I don’t know that it’s solved anyone’s problems. But perhaps offering my own reflections is helpful for people in reflecting and understanding something from their own experience.”

Both authors are still practicing Catholics, who made no secret of their sexuality even before their books were printed. And both have strong feelings about the possibility of reconciling their seemingly antithetical gay Catholic identities. Both believe that people can be open about spirituality and sexuality, and shouldn’t let anti-gay theology interfere with a personal relationship with God.

Murray describes himself as “basically a Washingtonian,” though he teaches at a college in upstate New York; the Boston-based Pomfret lived in the District in the early ’90s. He believes that this city already has a prominent history of gay Catholics and hopes to meet some of them while he is in town.

Both books may be purchased at Lambda Rising, 1625 Connecticut Ave., NW, or online at www.amazon.com.