Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted

In addition, the Roman Catholic leader published the second of three columns on homosexuality, in which he writes, "Do not support any group such as No Longer Silent that fails to uphold clearly the teachings of the Bible and the church."

In the letter, Olmsted said he was concerned that the pro-gay Phoenix Declaration, drafted by the No Longer Silent clergy group, was ambiguous in light of the "clear teaching" of the church that sexual activity by homosexual individuals is sinful and that gay people are called to a life of chastity.

"Our relationship with homosexual persons needs to be that of Christ, one that offers full acceptance of each person as made in the image of God," Olmsted wrote.

In the column, the bishop wrote that gay people should be treated with love and dignity and that church members should "look for an opportunity to invite them back to the faithful practice of a life of abstinence."

Leaders of No Longer Silent remained silent on the bishop's actions, saying only they understood why seven Catholic priests removed their names. The Rev. David Felten, pastor of Via de Cristo United Methodist Church, said the group still is considering how to respond "without aggravating the situation."

The Rev. Andre Boulanger, one of two priests who refused to remove his name, did speak out Wednesday. In a letter to Olmsted that Boulanger released publicly, the retired priest said the church refuses to take into consideration modern thinking about homosexuality that has concluded it is a valid form of sexual expression and not a form of deviant behavior.

He wrote that Jesus Christ never addressed homosexuality in Scripture but talks much about love.

"With this in mind, I would suggest that human sexual actions that are expressions of love and affection, that are mutual and responsible, whether they be heterosexual or homosexual, are morally good, wholesome, personally integrative, other-enriching, holy and sanctifying," Boulanger said