Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"Gay American" Ex-NJ Governor McGreevey Can't Become A Priest
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 25, 2011
Modified Apr 25, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 25, 2011
Modified Apr 25, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
James McGreevey, NJ's infamous former governor who famously declared himself a "gay American" and resigned, embarked on an enlightened, post-political life by studying at the General Theological Seminary, where he got a Masters in Divinity. But his studies may have been for naught because his attempt to join the Episcopal Church priesthood had been denied, according to the NY Post. An Episcopal Diocese of Newark source says, "It was not being gay but for being a jackass -- [McGreevey] didn't come out of the whole divorce looking good."
Hmm, what could be so jackassy about admitting threesomes and an interminably bitter divorce with ex Dina Matos? Another church source says, "He was sort of looking for every angle to make a complete redo of his professional life. He ran to the church for some kind of cover, which isn't fully appropriate. Even if he's a good guy, he should wait five to 10 years to get over his issues." In other words, for all you other governors with secrets, stop looking at the church for sanctuary!
McGreevey still lives with his real estate executive boyfriend, Mark O'Donnell, in a NJ mansion; O'Donnell reportedly gives the former governor money to pay his various alimony commitments.
Tagged
episcopal church
gay american
james mcgreevey
priest
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
Mid-October through mid-December is deer mating season, which can be a danger to drivers as the sex-seeking creatures cross roadways throughout the Garden State.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
News
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
A transcript from an April court hearing sheds new light on what transpired at Fashion Institute of Technology.
By
Samantha Max
Inside the plan to fix the nearly collapsed Pfizer Building, 1/64th of an inch at a time
By
David Brand
School bus carrying autistic students got lost in Brooklyn for 4 hours last year
By
Jessica Gould
NYC’s bridges can last 'forever,' if we take care of them
By
Clayton Guse
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .