Being a Priest was my DRAG - with Father Michael Cassabon

One of the big reasons for starting TLLoM is my belief that we grow, heal and shine when we authentically share our stories.  With this belief I want to use this platform to have conversations with other queer people of faith, trauma survivors, people in recovery and people hungry for a deeper spiritual connection in their life.

My hope is that today’s episode will spark something inside of you, open your eyes and your heart to seeing something from another perspective and challenge you to bring more of your own personal story out into the light.  I think you’ll enjoy today’s episode with Father Michael Cassabon.

LISTENER ADVISORY: this episode may contain triggers for some. Topics in this episode include: sexual abuse, trauma, suicide, exorcism, addiction & conversion therapy 

For full show notes visit www.ThisLittleLightOfMine.CA  

Here's a rundown of our interview

(3:46) Being a Priest was my DRAG - Interview with Father Michael Cassabon

Father Michael Cassabon joins for a conversation about what it was like to grow up gay in the Catholic tradition. Michael shares his experiences attending seminary at the Vatican, talks about being outted, being labelled ‘disordered’ by the church for his same-sex attraction and what shifted in his life to help in love himself enough to get married to his husband. 

Michael’s background:

• Greenville SC
• Apologetics
• Bob Jones University
• Fundamentalism
• Newman Club

(6:06) Catholic Church is the ONE true church

• The Rock of St Peter

(8:08) My first sense of being “different”

(8:19) How I learned being gay was unacceptable

(10:50) Being gay pushed me further into my faith

(11:50) The first person I told that I was gay

• Being groomed
• Facts about child sexual abuse

(14:10) Going to school at The Vatican

• Seminary
• Vatican
• Jesuit University - The Gregorian
• Opus Dea University
• The Code of Cannon Law - yes, very dry.
• How the sausage gets made

(18:10) - Shun your same sex attraction

• Same sex attraction (according to Focus on the Family)
• EWTN 
• Exodus International
• Courage International
• Lies and danger of conversation therapy
• Mar 2020, Canada tables motion to ban conversation therapy 
• Conversion therapy across the US
• Ex-gay movement in North America is on the rise TODAY
• Changed Movement from Bethel Church

(22:45) Left handed boys are more apt to be gay

(24:50) Being DISORDERED

• Catholic teachers being fired for being gay in 2020!

(27:55) I nearly killed myself while in conversion therapy

• Gay Exorcisms

(30:30) It’s a sin to question Father

(31:24) My father is dying of cancer

(35:20) Coming out to my Father 

(42:12) Being a priest was my drag

• Laicized / Defrocked 

(50:28) We must be careful with religion around children

(1:00:30) If you can’t love yourself

(1:01:20) What’s next for Michael

(1:03:54) Rapid Fire Finish

(1:07:30) Show Close

Share your voice questions

1. What would your life look like if you had been born into a completely affirming world? eg – religious institutions were 100% affirming of LGBTQ people, no racism, discrimination, a world where everyone loved and respected each other.
2. Have you ever been told that you were unworthy, unwanted or unlovable? Who told you this and at what age? What impact did these messages have on your life?

We hope you enjoyed today's episode. If you did, please remember to share, rate and review.

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You are loved.

James.