Former Gov. James E. McGreevey will not have to pay alimony to his ex-wife, a judge ruled Friday in granting the couple a divorce after a tumultuous eight-year marriage that crumbled publicly when McGreevey acknowledged he was a "gay American."
Oh, and if you thought my Title up there was the punchline, read this:
McGreevey, now a seminary student, testified during the couple's contentious divorce trial that he's too poor to pay alimony.Yes, that's right--a seminary student with a boyfriend. I'd like to know what religion that is, fo reals.
Is McGreevey a plant for the extreme right? They couldn't ask for a better foil. Let's face it: Dina McGreevey was deceived by this man she thought loved her for years, and had a child with him. Thankfully he has to pay child support, but this woman has had her life torn to shreds by her ex-husband's deception, and has to start over. Yes, so does he, but he was the one who decided to keep his homosexuality private in the first place. I'm not a big fan of alimony just in principle, but due to the scope of James' deception, I think Dina should be getting something.
And to all you gay guys out there trying to convince yourself that you can marry and "turn" straight, or hide your feelings--just don't do it. It's not fair to you, to your prospective spouse, or to the children you may end up having.
7 comments:
Jamie, I'm a NJ resident, and believe me, I have nothing good to say about our former governor.
All I can tell you is that I figured out shortly after he was inaugurated that he was gay, from a boneheaded govt. appointment he attempted to make. I heard from various friends and acquaintances from different circles who knew McGreevey was gay. While it is possible his ex-wife didn't know he was gay when she married him, I have my doubts. So if she did know, then I'm afraid I don't have any sympathy for her. If she did marry him in good faith, I agree that she is entitled to something.
McGreevey contended that his ex-wife knew, and as evidence his lawyer had a witness who stated that he engaged in a threesome on a few occasions with both McGreeveys before they were married. I don't know if this was ever proved or stipulated by Dina's lawyer.
McGreevey, is an Episcopalian, apparently not a member of one of the anti-gay branches. He lives with a rich boyfriend in a nice house. I don't think they are in a civil union yet, which may partly explain how "poor" McGreevey is. But both McGreevey's downplayed their wealth. The judge was very critical of both of them during the divorce trial.
As to your last paragraph in your post, Jamie, I couldn't agree more.
As an Episcopalian, McGreevey's not required to maintain celibacy.
And since he's going to serve as in a priest in Bishop John Spong's former Newark diocese, I doubt the homosexuality will pose much of a problem. While in office, Spong was one of the church's most radically liberal clerics. He caused great controversy when he declared that the story of Adam and Eve was "pre-Darwinian mythology and post-Darwinism nonsense" and that "Christ's divinity, as traditionally understood, [is] impossible."
Spong was actually put on trial for heresy over these comments. And he was probably acquitted only because Archbishop Desmond Tutu came to his rescue, arguing that "only someone who loves the church deeply" would have the courage to criticize it (while remaining a fervent believer in Christ's deeds, if not his divinity).
It goes without saying that, even after Spong's retirement, the Newark diocese's stance on homosexuality is a bit more tolerant than the denomination as a whole.
John and Pat are correct about McGreevey's seminarian status: The Episcopal Church USA has been ordaining openly gay candidates to the priesthood for years now -- in fact, I know at least 3 former RC priests who migrated to the Episcopal Church, just for this reason. (Gene Robinson, however, is the only openly gay bishop in ECUSA)
I also have the same opinion of McGreevey that Pat has (oh, I live in NJ, and once lived in Woodbridge NJ when McG was mayor there). Make no mistake about it: McG is sly and self-serving: he has friends in high places in NJ, and he knows how to play things, how to schmooz, how to manipulate -- all in such a way as to make himself look innocent or even virtuous.
I was raised Episcopalian. Is it even possible to be a "fallen Episcopalian"?
I was raised Episcopalian. Is it even possible to be a "fallen Episcopalian"?
JohninIl, I believe you just answered your own question. lol
:)
Question: What's the great thing about being an Episcopalian?
Answer: Being an Episcopalian never interferes with your religion.
Q: What's the difference between a Baptist and a Episcopalian?
A: The Episcopalian will say "hello" when he sees you in the liquor store.
While in office, Spong was one of the church's most radically liberal clerics. He caused great controversy when he declared that the story of Adam and Eve was "pre-Darwinian mythology and post-Darwinism nonsense" and that "Christ's divinity, as traditionally understood, [is] impossible."
I contend a significant minority, if not a majority of clergy believe that. Of course, it's a big deal when one actually says that.
George, what's your guess about whether Dina Matos knew her ex's sexuality?
Question: What's the great thing about being an Episcopalian?
Answer: Being an Episcopalian never interferes with your religion.
LOL. Anyway, as long as being an Episcopalian never interferes with reason and rationality, I may consider converting. As someone said to me once about questioning dogma and beliefs, "God gave us a brain."
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