This sentence has to win the prize for Best Lede of the Day:
Salvatore “Sal” Circosta is Catholic, politically conservative, gay and running for mayor.
The story, from MassLive.com goes on to describe the rather complicated background of the young man running for mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts:
In the early weeks of his candidacy against three-term incumbent Mayor Domenic Sarno, Circosta, 29 – a former seminarian, military chaplain and business manager of a Catholic church – has nearly indoctrinated his campaign. He took to social media to highlight that he submitted his nomination papers on Holy Thursday and promoted his appearance at a pro-life vigil. His Twitter feed is a combination of politics and prayer. But, even as Circosta has branded his early campaign with the words and icons of Catholicism, the once-aspiring priest has another side. It is one that stands in contrast to his religious conservatism and one that could present another challenge to his effort to unseat Sarno. Circosta recently conceded publicly that he is gay, also acknowledging that he had posted explicit photos of himself on dating websites for gay men. The disclosure of his sexual orientation has been uncomfortable for the only son in a family of four children in a traditional, Italian-American family. But, he says it’s one he is ready for after some soul-searching and urging from his advisors. “Springfield means that much to me. Running for this office is that important to me. I’m willing to endure some discomfort,” Circosta said. “I pledged transparency when I announced my candidacy and I meant it.” He said that while his sexuality was long a matter of private shame for him, Catholicism always felt like a refuge. Circosta, however, does not believe being a staunch Catholic and gay should be a contradiction. “What the church needs to do a better job of is to talk about God’s unconditional love,” he said.
And today we celebrate...