We Are Not Saints: the Series
Series Overview:
We Are Not Saints is a series of four books, each covering a decade or more in the life of one of four principal characters: Father Jared Röhrbach, Father Paul Fortis, Bishop Sean Foley, seminarian Jeff Hensen, and high school sophomore Randy Carter. These four young gay Catholic men struggle, not so much with their religion or their sexuality, but with living authentically as sexual men of faith. Like all of us, some do a better job of it than others.
The Books
Book 1: The Priest
Jared and Paul, lifelong friends and partners in life and love, are ordained together and begin their priestly ministry. Their first assignments will show them in stark relief the challenges they are about to face in ministry and in their relationship. The responsibilities put on them by their bishop, Bishop Mickleson, and Cardinal Romero set the two partners against one another.
Book 2: The Acolyte
Expert skateboarder Randy Carter lives with his mother, Kyte, and step-father, Kip. But it’s the nurse next door, Lavonda, who really raised the boy and his “sister,” Kiesha is his best friend. His spiritual life revolves around his church where he’s an acolyte and his pastor, Father Sean. When he meets Michael, the love of his life, his world comes apart and he’s left searching for the family he’s never known.
Book 3: The Monk
Jeff Hensen figured that, as a gay man, the seminary was not for him. Instead, he got his law degree and started practicing law in San Luis Obispo, CA near his closest friends, Jared and Paul. His first case after law school puts him face-to-face with a controversy in a parish school involving a sex offender and a possible child abuse situation. It grows to overshadow his life.
Book 4: The Bishop
Sean fears that not only is his position as Bishop threatened, along with the program he’s created for at-risk LGBTQ youth, but his very vocation as a priest is on the line. The ultra-conservative Nigerian Cardinal Nwadike from the Dicastery of Bishops has summoned him to Rome. The prelate seems to be looking for an excuse to remove Sean from office.
Cast of Characters:
(Some portraits link to interviews with the cast members. Click on the portrait to read the interview.)
We Are Not Saints: The Priest
The Priest
Jared’s Partner
Jared’s Bishop
Jared’s Aunt
Jared’s Father
Jared’s Boyfriend
Church Secretary
Jared’s Classmate
Jared’s Pastor
Prefect, Dicastery of Bishops
Cardinal Romero’s Assistant
Jared’s Nemesis
We Are Not Saints: The Acolyte
The Acolyte
Randy’s Mother
Randy’s Stepfather
Randy’s “Li’l Sis”
Kiesha’s Mother
Kiesha’s Father
Randy’s Boyfriend
Randy’s Pastor
Randy’s Roommate
Randy’s Grandmother
We Are Not Saints: The Monk
The Monk
Jeff’s Uncle
Saint Patrick’s School Safety Officer
Saint Patrick’s Student
Chip’s Mother
We Are Not Saints: The Bishop
The Bishop
Sean’s Mentor
Prefect, Dicastery of Bishops
The Love of Sean’s Life
Sean’s Classmate