Friar Dan Horan’s Departure from the Franciscans and Priesthood: A Reflection on His Journey and Controversial Views

Friar Dan Horan’s Departure from the Franciscans and Priesthood: A Reflection on His Journey and Controversial Views

On October 3, 2024, Daniel P. Horan, a well-known Franciscan friar and Catholic priest, announced his decision to leave the Order of Friars Minor and seek laicization, marking a significant shift in his vocational journey. Horan, a prominent theologian and professor, shared this news in a column for the National Catholic Reporter, revealing that after a period of prayerful discernment, he concluded he was no longer called to remain a friar minor. This decision, symbolically announced on the feast of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi—a day commemorating the saint’s passage to eternal life—has sparked widespread discussion within Catholic circles due to Horan’s progressive stances on various issues, many of which have been seen as conflicting with traditional Catholic teachings.

Who Is Dan Horan?

Born in 1983 in Pensacola, Florida, Horan entered the Order of Friars Minor in 2005, taking his first vows in 2007. He holds advanced degrees in theology, including a Master of Arts in systematic theology and a Master of Divinity from the Washington Theological Union, and has built a notable academic career. At the time of his announcement, Horan was the director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality and a professor of philosophy, religious studies, and theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He is also an affiliated professor at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and a longtime columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. Horan has authored several books, including Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism (2023) and Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World (2024), focusing on topics like spirituality, justice, and contemporary theological issues.

The Decision to Leave: A Personal Transitus

Horan described his departure as a “personal transitus,” drawing a parallel to St. Francis of Assisi’s transition from earthly life to eternal life. In his column, he emphasized that this decision came after a formal period of vocational discernment, supported by his religious superiors, during which he remained a friar in good standing. He expressed that his departure was not a rejection of his Franciscan roots or Catholic faith but rather a response to a new direction he felt called to by the Holy Spirit. Horan stated, “My state of life may have changed, but my faith in God has not.” He plans to continue his work as a professor and writer, remaining a faithful Catholic while serving the church in new ways as a layperson.

Controversial Views and Criticism

Horan’s departure has reignited discussions about his progressive theological positions, which have often placed him at odds with traditional Catholic doctrine. Over the years, he has been a vocal advocate for issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender theory, and social justice, positions that have drawn both support and sharp criticism from within the Catholic community.

• Support for LGBTQ+ Issues and Gender Ideology: Horan has been a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for their inclusion in the Catholic Church. In a 2015 op-ed for America Magazine, he celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage, arguing that it aligned with the church’s call to eradicate discrimination and affirm the fundamental rights of all persons. He has also criticized the church’s use of the term “gender ideology,” calling it a “boogeyman” used to harm vulnerable LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2020, he wrote in the National Catholic Reporter that critics of gender ideology “don’t know what they are talking about,” urging them to engage with academic perspectives that separate gender from biological sex. Additionally, in a 2023 post on X, Horan stated, “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Nonbinary people are people,” a stance that led to significant backlash and ultimately prompted him to delete his X account, citing rising “homophobia” and “transphobia” on the platform.
• Support for Abortion and the Women’s March: Horan’s participation in the 2017 Women’s March in Chicago, alongside other Franciscans, stirred controversy due to the event’s explicit advocacy for abortion rights and pro-LGBT issues. Horan tweeted his support for the march, stating, “If you think the #catholic clergy have no business supporting #WomensMarch, then you don’t understand basic Catholic Social Teaching!” Critics, however, pointed out the march’s pro-abortion stance, with its website promoting “open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion.” Horan attempted to frame his involvement as part of a broader “pro-life” stance, which he expanded to include opposition to the death penalty, support for Black Lives Matter, and other social justice causes. This conflation drew ire from many Catholics who viewed his position as a betrayal of the church’s unequivocal teaching against abortion.
• Contradictions with Catholic Faith: Horan’s views have been widely criticized as contradicting core Catholic teachings. The Catholic Church holds that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2357) and that marriage is a sacrament between one man and one woman. Horan’s support for same-sex marriage and transgender affirmation directly opposes these doctrines. His advocacy for women’s ordination to the diaconate, which he argued was hindered by “sexism,” further deviates from the church’s position that holy orders are reserved for men. Additionally, his criticism of the pro-life movement—such as calling the 2019 March for Life “repulsive” after a controversy involving Covington Catholic students—has been seen as undermining the church’s commitment to defending the sanctity of life from conception.

Reactions to His Departure

The announcement of Horan’s departure has elicited a range of responses. Some progressive Catholics, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, have expressed disappointment, viewing his exit as a loss for advocacy within the church’s clerical ranks. A post on the subreddit r/LGBTCatholic noted, “Considering the emphasis the Church places on clerical authority, it’s valuable to have sympathetic voices who wear the collar (or habit).” Others, however, have welcomed the news. Novus Ordo Watch celebrated the decision, calling Horan a “pro-abort woke social justice warrior” and expressing relief that he “will never again act in the role of a priest.” LifeSiteNews highlighted his history of breaking with church teaching on same-sex marriage, transgenderism, and the pro-life movement, framing his departure as a logical outcome of his dissent.

Reflecting on the Bigger Picture

Horan’s exit from the priesthood and Franciscan order raises broader questions about the tensions within the Catholic Church today. His journey reflects a growing divide between progressive theologians and traditionalists, particularly on issues of sexuality, gender, and social justice. While Horan insists that his faith remains strong, his critics argue that his positions have contributed to confusion and scandal among the faithful, accusing him of prioritizing secular ideologies over church doctrine.

From a critical perspective, Horan’s case highlights the challenges of reconciling personal beliefs with institutional expectations. His support for causes like abortion rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion, while rooted in a desire for justice and inclusion, directly contradicts the church’s magisterial teachings, which are grounded in Scripture and Tradition. The church’s stance on these issues is not merely a matter of policy but a reflection of its understanding of natural law, human dignity, and the sacramental nature of marriage. Horan’s approach, which often leans on sociological and scientific arguments to challenge these teachings, risks undermining the church’s theological foundation, potentially leading to a watered-down faith that conforms to cultural trends rather than divine truth.

What’s Next for Dan Horan?

Despite leaving the priesthood, Horan plans to remain active in the Catholic academic and theological sphere. He will continue his role as a professor at Saint Mary’s College and maintain his column at the National Catholic Reporter, ensuring his voice remains part of the ongoing dialogue within the church. Whether his departure will amplify his influence among progressive Catholics or diminish his credibility among traditionalists remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Dan Horan’s journey—from Franciscan friar to lay theologian—will continue to spark debate about the direction of the Catholic Church in an increasingly polarized world.

Our Thoughts

This departure from the Franciscans and the Priesthood is no surprise to us here at Sacerdotus. Mr. Horan has exhibited many heretical and disingenuous tendencies throughout his vocation. Instead of building up the faith, he often questioned it and took on a contrarian tone, turning the faith into suggestions rather than the truth of God. His support for abortion and homosexuality, and attacks on the Liturgy, were a huge red flag. See: (Sacerdotus: Order of Fraudulent Men: Daniel Horan & Franciscans March For Abortion) and (Sacerdotus: Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage in all States). Also: Sacerdotus: Women's March

This is usually a sign that there is spiritual corruption. Moreover, the fact that he was ordained by the disgraced homosexual Theodore McCarrick is also very telling. The rot spreads. The laying of the hands seemed to transfer more than the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Perhaps theologians need to take a look at ex opere operato again and expound on it.

We hope Mr. Horan will recant his heretical statements and positions and adopt an orthodox and faithful Catholic position. The Church's teachings are not up for debate or modification. While we must engage the culture, we cannot water down the faith in order to be "good with everyone." Based on Horan's departure statement and his "wrestling," it is possible he may have been struggling in the closet, so to speak. He tried to reconcile his "passions," as he described, with Catholicism, and it created a monster.

This is why discernment is extremely important. If someone has strong tendencies of any kind that are incompatible with the Catholic faith, he or she should not join religious life or even attempt it. This goes to men in the priesthood as well.

We wish Mr. Daniel Horan the best and pray for his ongoing conversion and salvation.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter, “Always a Franciscan in spirit, but no longer a friar,” October 3, 2024.
  Always a Franciscan in spirit, but no longer a friar | National Catholic Reporter
• Catholic Culture, “Controversial Franciscan leaving priesthood, religious life,” October 4, 2024.
• Novus Ordo Watch, “Breaking Out of the Habit: ‘Fr.’ Daniel Horan Leaves Franciscan Order, Seeks Laicization,” October 3, 2024.
• LifeSiteNews, “Heterodox pro-LGBT friar Father Daniel Horan announces he is seeking laicization,” October 8, 2024.
• Sacerdotus, “Order of Fraudulent Men: Daniel Horan & Franciscans March For Abortion,” January 22, 2017.
• America Magazine, “How Should Christians Respond to the Court’s Decision on Same-Sex Marriage?” June 26, 2015.
• New Ways Ministry, various articles on Horan’s advocacy for Hawkins and posts on X regarding his views on transgender issues.