A priest who served as campus minister in Fresno, Calif., at the St. Paul Newman Center, has been removed and suspended from the priesthood by the Bishop of Fresno, Most Rev. John Steinbock. Father Geoffrey Farrow declared his own homosexuality in a TV interview on October 5. He is accused of urging students at Mass to oppose Proposition 8, the proposed California ballot measure to amend the state Constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Patrick J. Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, which supports the bishops and works to strengthen Catholic identity on campus, applauded the dismissal of the wayward priest.

“Bishop Steinbock has set a wonderful example and clearly recognizes the importance of faithful campus ministers,” Reilly said. “It’s essential that students are taught the truth about Christ without distortion or dissent.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, Bishop Steinbock wrote the following in a letter to Father Farrow: "Your statement contradicted the teaching of the Catholic Church and has brought scandal to your parish community as well as the whole Church.” In addition to suspending him from the priesthood, Bishop Steinbock also revoked Father Farrow’s diocesan salary and health benefits and directed him to leave the diocese-owned Newman Center.

According to the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law, the local bishop not only has authority over Catholic campus ministry, but also the responsibility to ensure the integrity of the spiritual life of young people.

Canon 813 states: “The diocesan bishop is to have serious pastoral concern for students by erecting a parish for them or by assisting priests for this purpose on a stable basis; he is also to provide for Catholic university centers at universities, even non-Catholic ones, to give assistance, especially spiritual to young people.”

“This incident serves as an important reminder that campus ministry at both Catholic and non-Catholic colleges is properly under the oversight of the local bishop,” Reilly said. ”By exercising this authority, Bishop Steinbock has done a great service to Catholic students and their families.”