Journal of Moral Theology, Vol. 12, No. 1 (2023): 1–24 Outing Gay Priests: Toward a Theological Ethics of Privacy in the Digital Era Levi Checketts N JULY 21, 2021, CATHOLIC SUBSTACK The Pillar published an “exposé” on Monsignor Jeffrey Burrill, who had just resigned from his position as the general secretary of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Pillar claims that Burrill had used the gay-only dating app Grindr on “a near- daily basis.” 1 The article obsesses over the details of Monsignor Burrill’s alleged sexual activity. After several paragraphs explaining how casual sexual encounters through Grindr work, the authors make the unwarranted move of implying that someone using Grindr must be doing so to abuse minors. Despite the fact that the article clearly states that the claims are based on circumstantial evidence and extrapolations made from incomplete data, the authors readily draw connections between the use of a dating service and the problem of minor abuse by priests. The authors apply homophobic frameworks to castigate a priest who they have no evidence is guilty of what they claim. Flynn and Condon seemingly wanted to provoke outrage with their sensationalized piece, and they did. Not only did several Catholic outlets respond, including large media companies like National Catholic Reporter and the EWTN media conglomerate, 2 but also 1 Pillar Staff (J. D. Flynn and Ed Condon), “Pillar Investigates: USCCB Gen Sec Burrill Resigns after Sexual Misconduct Allegations,” The Pillar, July 21, 2021, www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pillar-investigates-usccb-gen-sec. 2 See Steven P. Millies, “The Pillar Investigation of Msgr. Burrill is Unethical, Homophobic Innuendo,” National Catholic Reporter , July 21, 2021, www.ncronline. org/news/opinion/pillar-investigation-monsignor-burrill-unethical-homophobic- innuendo; Raymond J. de Souza, “Msgr. Burrill’s Resignation and the Surveillance Age: 5 Points to Consider,” National Catholic Register , July 23, 2021, www.nc register.com/commentaries/msgr-burrill-s-resignation-and-the-surveillance-age-5-po ints-to-consider; and Zac Davis, “Tabloids, Scandal, and Spying: The US Catholic Church Has Hit a New, Dangerous Low Point,” America, July 22, 2021, www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/07/22/catholic-church-spying-pillar-burrill-gr indr-usccb-privacy-241106?pnespid=kvFvpfMBCAWNdkxsuQfPhQjk_ucngeGEJs 827fC6. O