Series XI: Rev. Walter Szymanski, 1974-1995
Scope and Contents
This series consists of papers written by Reverend Walter
Szymanski, an openly gay priest. The materials date between
1974 and 1993. The materials consist of articles written by
Szymanski.
Biographical Note
The Rev. Walter Szymanski was ordained to the priesthood
by Bishop Robert Spears in the Diocese of Rochester on June
24, 1973. He was named the first Canon for Gay and Lesbian
Ministries in Rochester in the 1970’s. Szymanski was a
Chaplain for the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, involved
in jail ministry, and a counselor at the Catholic Family Center.
He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a
doctorate in Divinity with a specialization in Psychotherapy.
Originally from Pittsburgh, he lived, served the church
and worked as a pastoral therapist in the Rochester, NY,
area for many years. When he returned to Pittsburgh, he
enrolled at CCAC to complete a certificate in drug and alcohol
counseling. He is now retired from Greenbriar Treatment
Center, where he worked as an addiction psychotherapist.
Walt currently serves as a member of the clergy at Calvary
Episcopal Church in Shadyside. He is active in the religious
community as well as in the secular community on a variety of
social justice issues. Walt was recently elected to the board of
the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. He is a founding member of
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the gay and lesbian movement within the national Episcopal
Church.
Conditions Governing Access:
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this
series.
Conditions Governing Use:
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is held by the Rochester Public Library. Copyright
of the papers may be held by the authors’, or authors’ heirs or
assigns. Researchers must obtain written permission of the
holder[s] of copyright and the Rochester Public Library before
publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most
papers may be copied in accordance with the library’s usual
procedures unless otherwise specified.
Bibliography
“Alumni Class Notes.” Community College of Allegheny
County AlumNetNews 6, no. 1 (2011) : 10.
“Our Parish Life.” Calvary Episcopal Church
program, June 23, 2013. Accessed December
21, 2017. https://calvaryextra.weebly.com/
uploads/2/2/4/3/22431036/062313bulletin.pdf.
Title/Description Instances
Archival materials, 1974-1993 box 2 folder 12