James Cummings

REV. MR. JAMES DENNIS BONAVENTURE CUMMINGS, MA, M.Div.
Roman Catholic
Lynwood, CA

A green priestly stole of Ordinary Time was donated on my behalf by the San Fernando Valley, CA, local chapter of Dignity USA. As an ordained Roman Catholic deacon, I contribute to the liturgical life of this community by assisting at Mass, cantoring, and presiding over prayer services, as well as volunteering for other events. It is through their sponsorship and encouragement that I am participating in the Shower of Stoles. As a personal symbol, the star pattern on my stole is similar to a design I used to decorate my confirmation stole (Bonaventure is my confirmation name). Frogs and toads are my personal totem. The stole reflects a chapter dedication to creation spirituality, the Green Man, and the annual celebration of Earth Day.

I first thought about a vocation to the priesthood in second grade, in between paramedic and lawyer, or maybe between police officer and doctor. I gave it more serious consideration in 1987 after I finished my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz, and came back home after college. As part of the process of applying to seminary, I had the unfortunate occasion of being interviewed by Joseph Nicolosi (the founder of NARTH), who at that time was still approved by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to screen candidates. He came to the conclusion that I had chosen priesthood as a way to avoid confronting my homosexuality and that I should enter into therapy with him in order to be cured of my affliction. At that point in my life I considered myself "bisexual" and was fearful of the labels "homosexual" or "gay." I knew nothing of Nicolosi nor his bigoted views or skewed philosophy, but I did know I did not want to enter into therapy with this slimy man who used the occasion of an archdiocese psychological assessment to attempt to increase his own private practice. However, as a result of his remarks in the report, I began mandated psychotherapy with a variety of clinicians that continued on and off throughout my time with the archdiocese.

For the most part I thoroughly enjoyed my seminary and field study experiences through St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA. My parish internship was at St. Finbar Catholic Community in Burbank, CA. It was not until my final evaluation after four and a half years of theological study that the seminary faculty raised any concerns about my worthiness as a candidate for priesthood. I was not ordained to the transitional deaconate with my classmates, but instead was postponed a few months and then afforded a special ceremony. On June 29, 1993, the solemn feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, I was ordained in my home parish of St. John Fisher in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, the same church in which I have received all my other sacraments. As a founding member of the parish (in 1961), my mother was particularly thrilled that mine was the first ordination ceremony to be performed within the church building. I was assigned for six months to St. James in Redondo Beach, CA, and for another six months at St. Rose of Lima in Simi Valley, CA. I served as a deacon for four years as my priestly vocation continued to be questioned and ordination postponed. Throughout that time I led Bible Study and facilitated small group work. I was hired by the parish of St. Francis de Sales in Sherman Oaks, CA (an "unofficial" assignment), and coordinated adult education and the high school confirmation program for a couple of years. After an official placement in Holy Spirit parish in Mid-City Los Angeles, an ordination ceremony was finally scheduled for July 25, 1997, the feast day of St. James the Greater. It was cancelled at the last minute when the Cardinal Archbishop decided that he would not ordain an openly gay man to the priesthood. In my ten year pursuit, I went from being "bisexual," to fully claiming my homosexuality. My transitional deaconate has turned into a permanent one. To date in 2007 after another ten years, I have not sought priestly ordination through any other avenue.

This stole was donated by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of Dignity USA.