"Religion was used [by Peninsula] in ...a strident and perverse way to orchestrate anattack against homosexuality," Gomes told TheCrimson in November.

The debate has subsided somewhat this spring,but students on both sides of the issue say thatGomes's role on campus has clearly changed.

While he still enjoys strong support amongMemorial Church parishioners, some Christianstudents, deeply troubled by his announcement,privately express doubts about the minister.

Once simply the minister of one of the nation'smost high-profile, non-denominational churches,Gomes is now seen by many as more a source ofcontroversy than of guidance.

"It certainly does make him an activist for thegays on campus and outside," says ThomsonProfessor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield, afounder of the Madison Center for EducationalAffairs, which helps fund Peninsula.

"It changes his role from preacher of Christianmorals to promoter of the respectability of gays,"Mansfield says.

Gomes rejects the label of activist, but sayshe has noticed changes in how people view him.

"In one sense, I don't think my role haschanged at all," says Gomes. "The perception thatother people have of me has changed."

Renewed Attacks

The war of words that followed Gomes'announcement fadel away into Thanksgiving break.

But on February 20, Anderson and four otherstudents formed a group called ConcernedChristians at Harvard to campaign for theminister's resignation. At the time, Anderson saidhe expected between 80 and 100 people to join theorganization.

The next day, President Neil L. Rudenstineresponded with a written statement supportingGomes. "I do not believe that it is the task ofthe University to apply a doctrinal testconcerning issues that may be controversial butthat are part of current theological debate, wherereasonable people of different religiouspersuasions hold different views," Rudenstine saidin the statement.

Anderson shot back at Rudenstine in anotherwritten statement, calling the president "notheologian."

"We are deeply saddened that he has lentcredibility to Reverend Gomes' attempt to rewritethe Gospel of Christ," Anderson said in responseto the president's statement.

The national press took note of this heatedexchange, and news organizations including CNN,Times magazine and The Washington Postpicked up the story.