Saturday, October 21

The Congressman And The Priest

A Roman Catholic Priest, The Rev. Anthony Mercieca, and Former Congressman Mark Foley are laughing off questions about their sexuality and rumors that they're anything more than just pals.

"We had a few drinks. We tried it. Wasn't for us," Foley jokes in a recent interview that addresses rumors about them being gay.

"Our friendship just kind of developed," says the priest.

Father Mercieca, who has known Foley for over thirty years, stresses that despite the raised-eyebrows they've gotten due to photos of them – often shirtless – biking, running and partying together, they are just buddies.

"I think people see pictures and they think we're these overgrown frat guys, but we all have those kinds of relationships – and relationship isn't a bad word," says Father Mercieca. "I mean, we all have buds, we all take guy trips, but you take something very normal like a nude massage and people start talking. "

Foley goes further to defend their relationship saying, "A lot of people don’t understand friendship and brotherhood. I have a great friend in him. I’d do anything he asked me to, even though he’d probably never ask me to, and he feels the same way. It’s fun going out, having a few drinks, and living life and doing things at the drop of a hat."

"Or the drop of a swim suit," jokes the cleric, eyeing a nearby swimming hole.

Father Mercieca, 69, calls Foley, 53, the "Congress Man," and says the legislator’s laid back style has been a good influence on him – especially when it comes to gossip and potential legal action. "His idea is like, 'Look, it is what it is, so go out there, have a few drinks, and have some fun.' He’s truly carefree – which is to say, he truly doesn't care."

"I'll drink to that," confirmed the disgraced Floridian. "Now who's up for a massage?"

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