(RNS3-JUL02) Vincent "Big Mama" Capretta is a priest in the Old Catholic Church in Columbus, Ohio, and a drag queen dance singer known as "Big Mama." For use with RNS-10-MINUTES, transmitted July 2, 2009. Religion News Service photo courtesy Vincent Capretta.
July 1, 2009
NEWS FEATURE
10 minutes with … Vincent “Big Mama” Capretta
By Nicole Neroulias
(UNDATED) By day, Vincent Capretta ministers to parishioners as Father Anthony, rector of the Community of Charity Church, an Independent Old Catholic community in Columbus, Ohio.
By night, he’s “Big Mama,” an out and proud drag queen whose latest dance club singles include “Big Mama’s House” and a remix of “The Lord’s Prayer.”
While he sees no conflict in his career choices, the Ohio native’s growing fame has prompted backlash from Roman Catholics and members of other breakaway Catholic movements, clamoring to clarify that the 47-year-old priest is not affiliated with their churches.
Capretta recently spoke about his increasingly controversial music and ministry. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: There has been a lot of confusion about your label’s promotion of you as an “out and proud” Catholic priest. It turns out you’re an Old Catholic. How is that different?
A: I was raised Roman Catholic, but I decided to leave the Roman Catholic Church when I was a senior in high school, after speaking to a group of seminarians who were kind of disgruntled with the church over several issues. The Old Catholic Church accepts gays and lesbians. Divorce and birth control are not an issue. We discourage abortion but would not withhold the sacrament from anyone. We allow female clergy and priests to get married. It’s close to the Anglican Church, but more socially progressive.
Q: You recorded some dance music in the 1980s and 1990s, but you did not become a priest until a few years ago. What prompted the decision?
A: I had wanted to become a priest since I was about 10 years old, and that calling doesn’t leave you. After working on my degrees and waiting tables and being involved with my music for many years, I began to study with the United Reform Catholic Church International out of Hawaii, in 2002, and I was ordained two years later.
Q: Why pursue music as a drag queen, which seems intended to stir controversy?
A: Obviously, I’m not a pretty drag queen. Milton Berle did it and Jonathan Winters did it and now I’m doing it, and it’s all in good fun. I’m a trained opera singer, so I would love people to hear my real voice, but I also love the energy of the dance groups. This is a ministry, too. If I can reach people through dance music, then I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.
Q: How do your parishioners feel about “Big Mama?”
A: The public has a misconception that I’m out dressed in drag every night on the streets, but I only dress up when it’s time to do a theatrical performance. My parishioners are very supportive; several have been to my shows. I had one parishioner say, “You know, Father, whatever it takes to raise the money to feed the homeless. If you need to put those ChaCha heels on, go right ahead and do it!”
The only negativity comes from conservative Roman Catholics, because they’re not taught that there are other types of Catholics in the world besides themselves. But, they are not the only valid priests in the world.
Q: But several Independent Old Catholic umbrella groups have also distanced themselves from you. The Apostolic Catholic Church lists you and your church on its Web site, but its bishop says the affiliation ended in May. What happened?
A: Due to the media coverage, they have jumped ship. A lot of these groups have never dealt with having so much media attention, so they will shy away from standing behind their clergy. They’re afraid, and that’s their choice. But, all of these churches and groups are autonomous anyway. Every parish owns itself. It’s very Protestant in that regard.
Q: Much of the publicity for “Big Mama’s House” revolves around your coming out of the closet as a gay priest. When did you officially come out?
A: I knew that I was different at the age of about 6. I came out to my parents when I was about 19. As a priest, I had not announced it until recently, but my parishioners have always known. A great percentage of our clergy are openly gay, and there’s no reason to hide amongst ourselves.
Q: How is your music career impacting your ministry?
A: I’m up a little earlier, I’m up a little later, to crunch all the work in. We have a sister parish where my parishioners can go if I’m not available—we’re small enough that I can notify them in advance. We make sure that, sacramentally, our people are taken care of.
Q: What’s next for you and “Big Mama?”
A: I auditioned for “America’s Got Talent,” which is supposed to air sometime this month. People can watch my videos on YouTube, and the club dance version of the “Lord’s Prayer” will be available for free download from my MySpace Web site.
My intention is to extend the love of Christ and perpetuate his all-embracing message of acceptance through club dance music in the hope that this somewhat unconventional method inspires individuals to praise and worship God in any environment.
Comments
This article is misleading and inaccurate. Father Capretta is not now nor has he ever been a priest in the Apostolic Catholic Church. He was never listed on the Apostolic Catholic Church website.
He was a client in our program of compassionate protection from March to June of this year. Under this program the Apostolic Catholic Church takes on the responsibility of being a compassionate companion to those seeking to serve God in ministry. We accept all comers and journey with them as they seek to discern their place in ministry. The ACC commits itself to be a resource for those in discernment and preparation for service. It is made clear to each client that the ACC commitment to them is one of a journey. There is no commitment to ordination/incardination within the ACC and that is clearly written into the letter accepting a client into the program.
Rev. Capretta failed to comply with the minimum written requirements of the program and therefore he was removed.
The Community of Charity was for a short time under a similar program. It was removed because it restricted services to members only. It is not listed on the ACC website. It was for a short time listed under affiliated organization as a probationary community.
In this interview Father Capretta shows a complete lack of understanding of the ACC. Our parishes are in no way independent they are very much interdependent. The members of the ACC would not under any circumstances tolerate Rev. Capretta’s behavior in any level of ministry.
In closing let me clearly state that Rev. Capretta was NEVER a priest in the Apostolic Catholic Church. He was a client.
The interview sloppy and at best inaccurate.
Posted by charles leigh at 5:28 am
Contrary to Chuck Leigh’s response, the article is not only truthful, but unveils only the tip of the iceberg regarding my relationship with the Apostolic Catholic Church. In a letter dated March 13, 2009, Bishop Leigh did in fact grant “ecclesiastical protection” to both me and the Community of Charity for a period of one year.
Ironically, after making a personal visit to our parish in June of 2008 for several days, in which our Community paid for the Bishop’s airfare and accommodations, Leigh’s promises to me and members of my congregation have not come to fruition. Leigh’s responses to the RNS article contradict in that he himself admits that the Community of Charity was listed on the Apostolic Catholic Church website as an “affilated organization” and does not truthfully acknowledge that it remained so as recent as mid June 2209 until recent media inquiries.
In good faith I have sent clergy contributions to the Bishop as directed by his office to cover “national Church expenses”; and have patiently awaited, as directed in his letter of March 13, 2009, to be “interviewed and vetted by the standing committee on behalf of this bishop”. Sadly, I was never contacted by anyone--our parish did not even receive its Easter Holy Oils as promised by the Bishop. I have never claimed to be a priest of the ACC, I simply requested Bishop Leigh’s protection for a period of discernment.
For the Bishop to say that “members of the ACC would not under any circumstances tolerate Rev. Capretta’s behavior in any level of ministry” is yet another contradiction for I fully disclosed everything about myself to him during his personal visit. I remember exactly what he said to me in departing..."I don’t know how I’m going to explain you to the others, but we’ll work something out”. I guess things didn’t work out so well after all.
Father Anthony+
Posted by Father Anthony Capretta, OFM at 1:39 pm
else94
Unfortunately there are many out there who are so confused about what is really the Apostolic Church. Well, the Catholic and Apostolic Universal Church is the one that Jesus Christ has founded and later his apostles followed, taught and wrote about Jesus true teachings. Who ever gets out of God’s teachings in the Catholic Church is not and should not be considered to be called “Catholic” because he/she is not CATHLIC and is deluding himself! Before you talk ABOUT the Catholic Church, friend, first get to the true roots of it, study the Catechism, the true Catholic Bible that includes the (7) seven books that the Protestants removed. Then, once you understand what, who and how is the Catholic Apostolic Church, as many from other faith became to understand before they truly became Catholics because they found out and saw what they never knew and that is the real presence and teachings of Jesus in His Catholic church, the first Christian Church. Please, from good true sources, find out about what, who and how is the Catholic church, once you learned the true beauty you will never turn back because your mind, heart and soul will know, feel and see Jesus Christ very present there, especially in the Eucharist. Other than that if you don’t know nothing about the Catholic Church, please don’t talk what you don’t know, ignorance is the mother of many sad mistakes!
To be a true Catholic one MUST comply with Jesus teachings, the church teaches nothing different to that! So, why so much deliberation about the Catholic Church where you can find the truth of what Jesus and his apostles taught? Blessings!
Posted by Natty at 2:52 pm
else you need to get an education and open your tiny mind and learn how to spell before you start preaching to others!
Posted by forkuu at 6:40 pm
