A New Mexico archbishop has reinstated and promoted a priest who spent nearly a decade in a registered same-sex domestic partnership, elevating him to positions of authority over a Catholic school and the diocesan marriage tribunal—a move that raises serious questions about Church leadership and adherence to Canon Law.

Controversial Reinstatement Raises Eyebrows

Archbishop John Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe reinstated Fr. Steve Rosera to active ministry in January 2021, ending a 28-year leave of absence that began in 1993. During his time away from ministry, Rosera registered a same-sex domestic partnership in San Francisco that lasted from 2005 to 2017. Public records confirm the partnership, which dissolved when Rosera’s partner entered a same-sex marriage with another individual. Wester elevated Rosera to pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Albuquerque, gave him oversight of the parish’s K-8 school, appointed him dean of a regional priest cluster, and named him judge and Defender of the Bond on the diocesan marriage tribunal.

The Lepanto Institute, a conservative Catholic watchdog organization, brought the situation to public attention in 2025 through detailed investigative reporting. The report documented Rosera’s activism, including his signature on a 2015 amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting same-sex marriage in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, filed by the Human Rights Campaign. Social media posts from 2016 show Rosera celebrating Pride Month with rainbow flag imagery. Anonymous clergy members from the archdiocese confirmed that Wester was fully aware of Rosera’s history before reinstating him. The archdiocese’s official Facebook biography for Rosera conspicuously omits any mention of his 28-year absence or the circumstances surrounding it.

Ongoing LGBT Advocacy After Reinstatement

Rosera’s return to ministry did not signal a retreat from LGBT activism. On October 11, 2021, he celebrated Mass for “National Coming Out Day” and published a letter in the parish bulletin expressing support for civil unions while simultaneously affirming traditional Church teaching on marriage. Critics point out the contradiction inherent in advocating for legal recognition of same-sex relationships while claiming fidelity to Catholic doctrine. Rosera posted “Happy Pride” messages on social media in June 2016, demonstrating continued public alignment with LGBT causes. His appointment as Defender of the Bond—a tribunal role dedicated to arguing for the indissolubility of marriage—has struck many Catholics as particularly inappropriate given his personal history of simulating marriage through a registered partnership.

Archbishop’s Progressive Record Under Scrutiny

Archbishop Wester, appointed to Santa Fe in 2015, has established a track record of progressive positions that align with Rosera’s activism. He serves as moderator of the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests, an organization linked to advocacy for women’s ordination and expanded LGBT inclusion in the Church. Wester has publicly supported baptizing children of same-sex couples and implementing blessings for same-sex unions under the controversial Vatican document Fiducia Supplicans. He previously defended Catholic Relief Services programs that promoted contraception and other practices contrary to Church teaching. The fact that Rosera shares a residence with Wester has fueled speculation about the archbishop’s motivations and raised concerns about favoritism and ideological alignment over adherence to Church law.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe serves approximately 300,000 Catholics in a region where traditional values remain strong among many families. Parents at the K-8 school under Rosera’s oversight have largely been kept unaware of their pastor’s background, as the archdiocese has not proactively disclosed this information. Canon Law experts note that celibacy violations, particularly those involving attempts to simulate marriage, carry serious penalties under Canon 1394. Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute characterized the situation as a “horrible” violation of Canon Law, arguing that the breach is especially grave due to the nature of the partnership. Catholic Culture commentators have noted that while the Church should extend mercy to repentant sinners, elevating an unrepentant individual to positions judging the validity of marriages contradicts fundamental Church principles.

Implications for Church Credibility and Authority

The scandal has eroded trust in archdiocesan leadership among faithful Catholics who view priestly celibacy and traditional marriage as non-negotiable teachings. Long-term implications include potential departures from the faith community and calls for Vatican investigation, though no such intervention has been reported as of 2025. The situation feeds into broader concerns about what critics call the “lavender mafia”—a network of clergy allegedly advancing LGBT ideology within the institutional Church. This narrative has gained traction following similar controversies in other U.S. dioceses and the divisive reception of Fiducia Supplicans globally. The case highlights tensions between mercy and accountability, raising questions about whether rehabilitation requires public repentance or simply episcopal favor.

For families seeking Catholic education rooted in authentic teaching, the presence of a pastor with an activist background creates confusion about what the Church actually believes. The situation also undermines the credibility of marriage tribunals when judges tasked with defending marital bonds have personally participated in legal arrangements mimicking marriage outside its sacramental context. As of 2025, Rosera remains active in all his appointed roles, the shared living arrangement with Archbishop Wester continues, and neither church official has publicly addressed the scandal or offered clarification to concerned faithful. This silence speaks volumes to Catholics who expect transparency and fidelity to timeless moral teachings from their shepherds.

Sources:

New Mexico Archbishop Reinstated, Promoted, and Lives with Priest who Spent 10 Years in Registered Homosexual Relationship – Lepanto Institute

Bishop of Santa Fe reinstated to the presbytery a man who left the priesthood and was married to another man – Zenit

The Perils of Working for the Church – Catholic Culture

Archbishop John Wester Archives – Lepanto Institute