Sex, love bring priest windfall

Press, 30 January 1984, Page 12

Sex, love bring priest windfall

NZPA-AP Chicago The Rev. Andrew Greeley’s novels about the lives and loves of priests have brought him more money than he wanted, and so he will give $1.3 million to the University of Chicago to endow a chair in Roman Catholic studies. He said he “did not want to be a millionaire.” Fr Greeley’s first two novels, “The Cardinal Sins” and '•“Thy Brother’s Wife,” sold six million copies. He signed a contract last year for four more books. He said he wrote about priests, love, and sex because “people like love stories, and one way of dealing with scriptures are.love stories.”

He has agreed to provide the grant over three years, and he estimated the endowment would reach $1.7 million when- accrued interest was added. The priest, novelist, and sociologist said that it became clear to him he would have a fair amount' of money. “I thought about it and did some praying about it,” he said. “I did not want to be a millionaire.” Fr Greeley, aged 55, who never took a vow of poverty, said he felt “not a bit of guilt” and was delighted with his success. He received his master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from the university.