WASHINGTON, March 1 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the death of the Rev. Peter J. Gomes, an openly gay Harvard minister, theologian and author, who died yesterday at the age of 68.
Statement by the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Faith Work Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"In many Christian circles, when a person of faith passes, the pastor will speak of them by quoting Jesus, 'well done, thou good and faithful servant.' Sometimes this phrase is over used. But today, truer words were never spoken. Rev. Peter Gomes epitomized one who lived his life seeking to be a good and faithful servant — of the God he loved. He sought to live in passionate relationship with the Scriptures — not engaging them as a monolithic, final word, but as a beloved companion to be grappled with, challenged by and by which to be guided but not bludgeoned.
"For those of us who are religious and affirm the dignity of all persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, Rev. Gomes was a light and a model. His passionate sermons, his incomparable work with the Scriptures and his visible love of God and God's creation will be greatly missed."
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"In the passing of Rev. Peter Gomes, the world has lost a mind, a voice, an advocate, an artist of words rarely seen in this day and age. Rev. Gomes was certainly among the most talented, powerful orators I've ever had the joy of listening to, or ever will. His theological interpretations, his wit, his politics, his view of justice challenged even the most capable of those opposed to any of his views. Rev. Gomes spoke eloquently and frequently in support of marriage equality in Massachusetts during that state's fierce struggle to protect the right of same-sex couples to marry.
"He came out as a gay man when it was scandalous for clergy of his position and caliber, of any caliber, to do so. And yet, he did so with a clarity and grace that provided theological shelter for many a young person struggling with their sexuality. At the time, he said, 'I am a Christian who happens as well to be gay. ... Those realities, which are irreconcilable to some, are reconciled in me by a loving God.'
"I had the honor of attending a small, raucous, dignified dinner party he hosted at his home at Harvard for some of us who were graduating from the Kennedy School of Government in 2001. There, he showed his rare ability to take one, small topic — in this case, a lesson on how to give and receive a proper toast — and turn it into a feast for the ears. Rev. Gomes, to your voice! To your voice."
Rev. Peter Gomes, Out Preacher at Harvard, Bible Teacher, Dies at 68, MCC Statement
Metropolitan Community Churches, the LGBT faith community, and all people of faith lost a powerful friend, ally and a voice for justice, in Rev. Peter Gomes, the gifted Pusey Minister of Memorial Church, the non-denominational center of Christian life at Harvard University.
Rev. Gomes was a popular teacher, mentor and sought after preacher, whose best seller, The Good Book; Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart, took on fundamentalism, and examined topics like slavery, anti-Semitism and homosexuality. His humor, accessibility in his writing, endeared him even to those who disagreed with him. He saw the intersectionality of all these issues, and brought to bear both his New England and African heritage in his preaching and teaching.
Bishop Yvette Flunder says of his legacy "in The Good Book, Rev. Dr. Gomes made a lifelong impact on my understanding of Biblical interpretation when he coined the term, "bibliolatry". . .where our worship of the Bible exceeds our worship of God. He freed me to lovingly and critically examine scripture with lenses that search for liberating truth. We will miss our brilliant Gay scholar."
Dr. Gomes came out in 1991 at Harvard, and devoted the last two decades of his life to countering the Biblical misunderstandings that undergird homophobia. He reached audiences that many of us are not able to reach, with poise and confidence.
Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, from the staff of Sunshine Cathedral MCC, and a trustee of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, shares this memory: "When I met Dr. Gomes for High Tea at his residence in 2004, we discussed his fondness and appreciation for MCC. He spoke about our movement as being brave and daring. He appreciated how MCC opens doors for people."
Dr. Gomes scholarship, leadership, and support for students will be greatly missed at Harvard, in Cambridge. Marvin Bagwell, a lay leader in MCC and Harvard graduate offers this personal tribute:
"During my four years as an undergrad at Harvard, I served as an usher at Memorial Church in the Yard. I first went to services because the bells woke me up every Sunday morning and also because being a guilt ridden Methodist, I had to find a Church home. There I met Peter Gomes, the Minister to the University and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals. He was such a contradiction in terms, a black Baptist preacher from a prominent almost Boston Brahmin family. Instead of fire and brimstone, Peter preached about love and justice. His sermons were works of art, enchanting, jewel like in their clarity and always inspiring and uplifting.
There was something else about Peter. Most of the ushers were from rural America with various religious backgrounds. In retrospect, it is apparent that like many of the ushers, I was in denial about my sexual identity. I certainly did not know about "gay dar" at that time, but I was oddly drawn to Peter. I suspected but could not speak the words about him or about myself. In the early 1990's Peter came out. His announcement made the national newspapers. I was out by then, but his announcement shook me out of my subway seat and made me immensely and tearfully proud. I immediately dashed off a letter to tell him he and his sermons had saved my life. Harvard was not an easy place to be black and gay. He remembered. At every reunion, Peter always made a point of speaking to me. I will never forget him, arrayed in his Harvard version of Oxford robes. Peter called himself a conservative Christian. For the betterment of us all and for himself, he outgrew the conservative part. God bless Peter Gomes."
So many of us admired Rev. Peter Gomes' courage and his consistent, positive messages about the inclusive love of God found in the "Good Book." As we conclude African American History Month, we have lost someone who made history, and who embodied the values of our community.
Metropolitan Community Churches will offer a special tribute to Dr. Peter Gomes at our upcoming People of African Descent Conference, May 19-21 in Washington DC. Click here to learn more.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Moderator of Metropolitan community Churches
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner
Office of Emerging Ministries
