A former Kidder Township cleric believes the time has come for the Roman Catholic Church to extend an olive branch.

In fact, he'll tell you it's long overdue.The Rev. Bruce J. Simpson, now of Plains, is an expert on the topic of gays and gay marriage.Simpson retired three years ago as Archbishop Abbot of the Benedictine Order of St. John the Beloved, Old Catholic Church, where he was one of only seven U.S. archbishops.The Old Catholic Church is not in full communion with the Holy See of Rome but rather with the Anglican Communion.He said the winds of change are long overdue."There is a lot of latent bigotry," said Simpson, when interviewed by the Times News two years ago after release of his book "The Gay Face of God."Simpson is a Vietnam veteran, former government security worker, magistrate and decorated police officer for the city of Reading.His diverse background gives him a unique perspective.He pointed out that the concept of "lifestyle choice" is incorrect. Gayness, he said, is sexuality and is not chosen.All sexuality has a biological causation, he said. One does not choose to be gay any more than one chooses to be straight. Instead, it is intrinsic to design. You are what you are.Simpson said that fact is either misunderstood or intentionally ignored by many Christians and others who use misinformation to drive a wedge and create division.Such attitudes, he said, only serve to promote persecution. It's time for everyone to celebrate all of God's children, said Simpson. It's time to forget about barriers that never should have existed."God's likeness," said Simpson, "includes black, white, and every hue of color in between, male and female, and yes, gay and straight. Would we limit God in his capacity to create his children restricted to what man believes to be correct?"For decades, Simpson has fought what he calls spiritual terrorism, especially homophobia.He said much harm has been done all because people try to judge others based on Scripture."Untold pain and anguish has been caused to the gay community in the name of God," he said."The Holy Scriptures have been used like a battle ax to cause harm to a significant portion of our society, and to drive these people away from their loving Father."Moreover, Jesus never questioned homosexuality, and there's a reason for it, Simpson said."Because love is not a sin."Simpson has presided over countless same sex marriages and was among the first to do so.He has traveled internationally, appearing on television and radio. He addressed the United Nations and explained America's same-sex marriage evolution to an international audience over the Australian Radio Network.