A British priest has died following a drug-fueled night of sexual activity with an Anglican priest, leading to the arrest of the surviving partner.
The incident involved 60-year-old Father Bernard, who called emergency services after his partner, 69-year-old Father Andrew Wagstaff, became unwell and fell unconscious during their alleged night of using ecstasy and poppers. Emergency responders arrived shortly after midnight but were unable to revive Wagstaff, according to LGBTQ+ Nation.
Reports from the Toronto Sun indicate that the local prosecutor’s office confirmed the presence of two ecstasy pills at the scene, suggesting that the priests had used the drugs together while engaging in sexual activity.
Father Bernard has been arrested and charged with drug trafficking resulting in death, despite the initial autopsy failing to conclusively determine the exact cause of Wagstaff’s death. A bishop will ultimately decide whether Bernard can retain his position within the church.
Until his retirement earlier this year, Wagstaff served as the chaplain at St. Boniface Church in Antwerp, Belgium. He reportedly met Father Bernard during a visit to Belgium for Pope Francis’ appearance.
Eddy Marstboom, chairman of the local church council, expressed shock over the situation, stating, “[Father] Bernard is a dedicated priest. He did his job well, liked to mingle with people after church services, and was greatly appreciated for that. But admittedly, all of this is also a complete surprise to us. We now mainly hope that the law will do its job quickly because I can well imagine that this is particularly difficult for him.”
This incident is not isolated; it reflects a troubling pattern involving drug-related issues among clergy members. According to The Advocate, back in April, a Polish Catholic priest was sentenced to 18 months in prison after a male sex worker suffered an overdose on erectile dysfunction medication during a gay adult play party. The situation escalated tragically when the sex worker collapsed and was subsequently mutilated, though he ultimately survived the ordeal.
These incidents raise serious concerns about the intersection of substance abuse, sexual behavior, and the responsibilities of religious leaders. They highlight the need for ongoing discussions about mental health and substance use within all communities, including faith-based ones.
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