In living color, no less, with text by Darlene Gavron Stevens and photos by John Smierciak, the Chicago Tribune introduced its readers to Father David Medow, ex-Lutheran minister and now a parish priest at St. Mary Immaculate Parish of Plainfield in the Joliet Diocese under Bishop Joseph Imesch. (3/3/02).

The front page displayed a small photo of the priest's borrowing the family checkbook from his wife, Jane, who teaches at the parish school. We also learn of their children, son Nikolai, 14, and daughter Hannah, 10. Domestic priesthood at its finest.

To allay any fears about the validity of Medow's priesthood, Stevens assures us that his ordination was made possible through a special process set up by the Vatican 20 years ago for Anglican - including Episcopal - clergy who wanted to become Catholic priests.

Enough, already? You think you know all you want to know about Medow and his new job? But, wait. There's more. On page 16, to be exact. An entire page and three additional colored photos more. There, spread across the top of the page is Father Medow in Lenten purple at the altar of God, with arms extended, embracing the entire congregation, the diocese, the nation, the world.

Not everyone, though. Not his fellow married Catholic priests. Oh, he may say he is their brother, and he may be sincere. Can't happen. They're outside. He's inside.

I've been musing about whether or not I would remain in St. Mary Immaculate Parish if I were a parishioner there. I don't think I could. If Medow would invite me to his home for a private Mass, to meet his family, and enjoy a simple repast, I would do so. To attend his public Mass, for me, would be to sanction this scandal of epic proportions, the unjust practice of inviting Protestant ministers in through the front door, while sending our own married priests into a world of lost ministry through the back door.

Bishop Joseph Imesch must have been a bit concerned about this, for Stevens reports that he addressed 70 former Diocesan married priests and told them personally about Medow's status in their Church.

"Some had very strong feelings about it," Imesch told Stevens. "I told them, that's the church law."

If so, why doesn't the law pertain to all priests? Married is married is married. And what about another law, the law of love and compassion, the law of the Gospel?

Jospeh Epstein, in his essay, The Virtues of Ambition (Harper's 1980), phrased the human need for loving support this way:

"Possibly genius can flourish without sympathy of the community, but men and women who are are not geniuses, yet aspire to do their utmost, can grow dispirited, depressed, demoralized without the 'sympathy of the community.'"

Who is more shut off from the "sympathy of the community" than those sent into exile by Rome? Once in a while, I pause to wonder if those who are responsible for this injustice ever stop to consider what they have done, and if they will one day answer to God for their lack of support and love for his priests.

By the way, Stevens revealed a touch of arrogance in Medow's reply to parishioners' questions regarding his salary: "I tell them it's none of their business."

Well, well. Parishioners pay his salary and provide the home for his family, but they have no right to know what his salary and benefits are. Not nice, Medow. Imesch is quoted as saying only that it is well over the $2,000 per month a diocesan priest is paid. How much over, we cannot help but wonder.

No matter. Medow exemplifies the great divide between the Vatican and the ordinary people in the Church of God, clergy and laity alike. Therefore, his service comes at too great a price, far beyond dollars and cents.

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