The Rev. Dr. Horace Griffin is a distinguished Episcopal priest, scholar, and chaplain currently serving at Canterbury Court in Atlanta. His journey is marked by a profound transformation; originally a Baptist minister and Morehouse College alumnus, Griffin once preached against homosexuality before reconciling his faith with his identity as a gay man. This personal evolution led him to the Episcopal Church, where he was ordained in 2005, seeking an environment that celebrated his authentic self.
A respected academic, Dr. Griffin spent 27 years as a professor at institutions like the Pacific School of Religion and the General Theological Seminary. He is the author of the groundbreaking book, Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians and Gays in Black Churches, which deconstructs the history of homophobia in the Black church through sociological and theological lenses. Throughout his ministry—including six years at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church—he has championed prophetic justice, racial reconciliation, and LGBTQ+ equality.
Today, in his role as chaplain, he focuses on the “theology of relationships,” emphasizing the importance of valuing seniors and treating every human with love and equal justice. His life’s work serves as a bridge between tradition and inclusion, advocating for a faith that sees the divine light in everyone.
