Priest who found love now searches for work

WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS)    While burning through their savings looking for jobs, Gerry Murphy and Andrea Kanelopoulos-Murphy and their two young children were invited by a local businessman to stay in his condo this summer until they found a position.

Bernadette Murphy, 5, the Rev. Gerry Murphy, his wife Andrea Murphy and 3-year-old Maryn Murphy stayed in Wilmington, N.C. this summer while they looked for their next ministry job.
RNS FAVS photo by Rebekah McCune, courtesy of Andrea Murphy

With 10 percent unemployment in this corner of North Carolina, their story could be a common one. But the couple believe their unique marriage sometimes makes it harder to find the right workplace.

After three years in the priesthood serving a Catholic parish in Oakland, Calif., Murphy, an Irish-born Catholic, felt a tug in his heart. He wanted a family, but his vows of celibacy prevented that.“I got ordained at 37 in 2001, and I had been in a couple of relationships before that, so the whole celibacy issue was a question for me — even on the day of my ordination,” he said.