The first openly gay and partnered man in the Diocese of San Diego has been ordained into the priesthood.

On March 21, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, ordained Rev. Thomas Wilson, who has served as a deacon there for the past six months.

“For us the issue was ‘Is he duly called to be a priest? And was he living a godly life?’” the rector, or head priest, of All Souls’ Church, Rev. Mike Russell said. “We were all able to say ‘yes’ to that.”

Rev. Russell is a leading voice for inclusion of all people in the Episcopal Church, and the ceremony drew clergy and lay people from throughout Southern California.

The advocacy group Integrity, which works “for the full inclusion of all the baptized [GLBT people] in all the sacraments,” hosted the event, and Rev. David Norgard, a gay priest from the Diocese of Los Angeles, gave the sermon.

A true priest is not one who tries to speak for God or be a bouncer, a legal counsel or a political consultant for God – “God can speak for himself,” Rev. Norgard said. A priest is to help all people find God.

Following the sermon, Bishop James Mathes, who, according to tradition, had ordained Rev. Wilson, examined the new priest on his principals of faith. Then, joined by upwards of a dozen priests, he consecrated him, vesting him and giving him a Bible before presenting him to the congregation amid sustained applause. Some members of the congregation wept with joy.

“The parishioners at All Souls’ have been very supportive of my ministry in their midst,” Rev. Wilson commented.

Parishioners agreed. “I never thought I’d witness such a wonderful ceremony here in San Diego,” said one. “I’m grateful to Bishop Mathes for making this possible.”

“Tom is truly a good and spiritual person. He will be a great priest,” added another.

Rev. Wilson and his spouse, John Will, are longtime members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. They were married in September. Will is also Episcopalian and an active member of All Souls’.

Rev. Wilson will give a presentation on his spiritual journey on April 19 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. He will begin his ministry at All Souls’.

Rev. Wilson is not the first partnered gay person to serve in the San Diego Diocese, but he is recognized as the first openly gay person to be ordained in San Diego.

“It means there are places in Christian communities that recognize [GLBT people’s] call to serve God. Christian communities recognize [GLBT] relationships as holy because of what they bring to them,” Rev. Russell said. “That is the good news of the day.”

All Souls’ Episcopal Church is located at 1475 Catalina Blvd., in Point Loma. It has welcomed openly gay and partnered couples for many years. The church is also committed to its ministry overseas, especially to a hospital and teaching ministry in Kenya.

For more information about Integrity, visit www.integrityusa.org. For more information about All Souls’ Episcopal Church, call 619-223-6394.