ROCHESTER, N.Y. — News10NBC has confirmed the passing of retired pastor Father James Callan, known affectionately as Father Jim, who died on Saturday.
Father Jim was instrumental in founding the progressive Catholic Church, Spiritus Christi. He arrived in Rochester at Corpus Christi Church in the 1970s and became known for his inclusive approach to ministry.
Father Jim faced controversy for advocating the ordination of women, marrying gay couples and inviting non-Catholics to participate in communion. These actions led to his dismissal from Corpus Christi in 1998. Shortly after, he encouraged Mary Ramerman to establish and lead Spiritus Christi, a church that grew from the Corpus Christi community.
Father Jim faced excommunication in 1999, one of the Catholic Church’s most severe penalties. Despite this, many parishioners followed him from Corpus Christi to Spiritus Christi.
Father Jim was also deeply committed to social justice, creating programs for the poor, sick, and disadvantaged.
For those interested in learning more about Father Jim’s legacy, his writings, including biographies of other pioneering religious leaders in the community, are free online or at the church.
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