We Are Not Saints: the Series

Series Overview:

Author's Photo
Les Brown

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, 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

One of the cast of characters has been chosen by Cardinal Romero to succeed Bishop Mickleson. Far from the promotion he envisioned, the challenges of his office cause him to question his direction in life and his faith.

Cast of Characters:

(Some portraits link to interviews with the cast member. Click on the portrait to read the interview.)

The Clergy

Portrait of Julio Cardinal Romero
Julio Cardinal Romano,
Prefect, Congregation for Bishops
Bishop Clarence Mickleson,
Diocese of San Luis Obispo
Monsignor David Yates,
Diocesan Vicar General
Father Peter Duncan,
Assistant to Cardinal Romano
Paul Fortis, gay Catholic Priest, We Are Not Saints
Father Paul Fortis,
Secretary to Bishop Mickleson
Father Sean Foley,
Pastor of Saint Joachim

The Röhrbach Family

Hannah Röhrbach
Kurt Röhrbach
Father Jared Röhrbach

The Carter Family

Randy Carter
Kyte Carter
Kip Carter

The Davis Family

Evan Davis
Lavonda Davis
Kiesha Davis

Friends, Lovers, and Associates

Jeff Hensen
Tony Keating, Rent Boy, We Are Not Saints
Tony Keating

Michael Keller
Eliza Roberts,
Church Secretary