BOSTON GLOBE Nov 12 1992 ------------------------ By Tom Coakley Globe Staff ------------------------ A Needham man whose past is clouded with allegations that he engaged in white supremecist activity has resigned from St. John's Seminary in Brighton, where he was studying for the Catholic priesthood. Stephen Heaslip, 22, voluntarily left the seminary at the end of last week, Rev. Paul Ritt said yesterday. "Stephen made a decision on his own that he would be leaving the seminary," said Father Ritt, a faculty member. Heaslip began studying for the priesthood in September in a pre-theology course. He was residing on the Brighton campus. The allegations against him include evidence, confirmed by a Postal Service official, that Heaslip rented a mailbox at the West Roxbury post office last summer that was used for recruitment purposes by the KKK. Heaslip also was instrumental in getting two programs by white supremecist Tom Metzger aired on the Needham public access channel in October 1990. Heaslip could not be reached for comment yesterday but individuals who have discussed the allegations with him have said that he has denied being a racist and attributed the charges to misunderstandings and coincidences. Msgr. Timothy Moran, rector of the seminary, has said that officials were unaware of the allegations until after Heaslip started classes. Information concerning the activity was published in September in the Jewish Advocate after it was brought to light by Chip Berlet, an analyst on hate groups for Political Research Associates of Cambridge; and by Leonard Zakim, New England director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. Father Ritt said the resignation followed consultation between Heaslip, his advisors and Msgr. Moran. Zakim said he was please that Heaslip has resigned. "I'm glad he's out," said Zakim. "For him to be enrolled in a Catholic seminary was clearly outrageous. I think Msgr. Moran took the matter very seriously" and "the archdiocese has responded very firmly to these issues." -30-