This is a sad story, but also one of inspiration, even heroism, on the part of those who supported their fellow Catholics at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota.
A Roman Catholic priest denied communion to more than 100 parishioners Sunday, saying they could not receive the sacrament because they wore rainbow-colored sashes to church to show support for gay Catholics.
Before offering communion, the Rev. Michael Sklucazek told the congregation at the Cathedral of St. Paul that anyone wearing a sash could come forward for a blessing but would not receive wine and bread.
A group called the Rainbow Sash Alliance has encouraged supporters to wear the multicolored fabric bands since 2001 on each Pentecost Sunday, the day Catholics believe the Holy Spirit came to give power to Christians soon after Jesus ascended to heaven. But Sunday’s service was the first time they had been denied communion at the altar.
Archbishop Harry Flynn told the group earlier this month that they would not receive communion because the sashes had become a protest against church teaching.
Sister Gabriel Herbers said she wore a sash to show sympathy for the gay and lesbian community. Their sexual orientation “is a gift from God just as much as my gift of being a female is,” she said.
Ann McComas-Bussa did not wear a sash, but she and her husband and three children all wore rainbow-colored ribbons and were denied communion. “As a Catholic, I just need to stand in solidarity with those that are being oppressed,” she said.
I won’t bother asking what Jesus would do, as i think it’s pretty obvious.
1
By ACB
I tihnk maybe the late John Paul II might have disagreed with you on a few issues surrounding Catholocism and homosexuality, and how well they can mix
May 16, 2005 @ 1:40 am | Comment
2
By vaara
So?
May 16, 2005 @ 4:40 am | Comment
3
By Leo
My aunts are gay (took me a while to figure that out) but I’m cool with it. I don’t know what kind of legal status they have, but I think this homophobia is a bunch of BULLSHIT!
May 16, 2005 @ 12:42 pm | Comment
4
By Devi
Hope more people do this. And while they’re at it, they should stand up for shellfish and shaving! Prawns are not a sin, they’re tasty!
May 16, 2005 @ 1:21 pm | Comment
5
By lirelou
The problem with religion is that by accepting any one of them you essentially agree to subscribe to all their tenets. Catholocism treats homosexuality as an anathema whatever the conduct of some of its priests. If you are going to be a catholic, then you too subscribe to the view that homosexuality is a sin. It sounds like the parishoners in the article need to drop the idea that they are catholics and seek out a branch of christianity that is more accepting of gays. Or, quit christianity altogether. I wouldn’t bet on Jesus siding the the gays. He likewise had pretty dim views of divorce. People who are convinced of the uprighteousness of their cause should have the courage to leave the church they are in and seek others, or establish their own. After all, since the majority of religions view their revelations as God’s law, and God’s law as unchangeable, there is little room for dialogue if doctrinal standards are to be maintained.
May 16, 2005 @ 6:28 pm | Comment
6
By Gordon
ooops,
Sorry, I posted that last one to the wrong thread.
Anyway,
Richard,
I could really care less if you are gay or straight, but I am curious.
Why do you make it a point to blog on such issues so frequently?
May 17, 2005 @ 10:12 am | Comment
7
By richard
Gordon, look around this blog. Read some of the links in the upper-left-hand sidebar. Also, it’s an issue that is symptomatic of all that is wrong with today’s drift rightwards.
May 17, 2005 @ 10:28 am | Comment
8
By JR
The problem with religion is that by accepting any one of them you essentially agree to subscribe to all their tenets. Catholocism treats homosexuality as an anathema whatever the conduct of some of its priests. If you are going to be a catholic, then you too subscribe to the view that homosexuality is a sin. It sounds like the parishoners in the article need to drop the idea that they are catholics and seek out a branch of christianity that is more accepting of gays. Or, quit christianity altogether. I wouldn’t bet on Jesus siding the the gays. He likewise had pretty dim views of divorce. People who are convinced of the uprighteousness of their cause should have the courage to leave the church they are in and seek others, or establish their own. After all, since the majority of religions view their revelations as God’s law, and God’s law as unchangeable, there is little room for dialogue if doctrinal standards are to be maintained.
Posted by lirelou at May 16, 2005 06:28 PM
In other words, irrational intolerance AKA bigotry is somehow of a higher moral order in Christianity, more hate rhetorics from typical Christian right fundies.
May 17, 2005 @ 1:16 pm | Comment
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By other lisa
OH. See, it was odd to find Gordon’s comment in the thread below. But sorry, Gordon! Ignore my snark downthread.
May 17, 2005 @ 5:40 pm | Comment
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By lirelou
JR, it’s not only the christian right “fundies”. Essentially, once you have accepted the idea that only those who practice and believe as you do are going to attain eternal salvation, you have written off everyone who does not share your interpretation of whatever religion you espouse, however intrinsically “good” they might be as human beings. Fundies come in all colors, sizes, shapes, and shades of theology, and ideology.
May 17, 2005 @ 6:00 pm | Comment
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By Jim
Does the same logic then apply to all organizations? Were the Democrats being intolerant and hateful by not featuring Zell Miller at their convention? Or having pro-Bush speakers? Where was their showing of tolerance and willingness to discuss differences?
Only a real nutjob would argue that case. For the simple reason that it was the wrong time and place for such things. Mass is not the time nor place for challenges to Catholic doctrine. There are many forums within the Church that explore these issues. And there are many people – both lay and clergy – who are doing so. Mass in the Catholic tradition is not merely a social gathering, it is a sacrament. An intimate dialog between God and worshipper. You may not agree. You may not even believe in any god at all. That is your right. But you have no right to impose your social and/or political views on others.
May 19, 2005 @ 3:18 pm | Comment
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By richard
They were just wearing a sash. Where did Jesus say you couldn’t wear a sash? Where did he ever say anything about gays? If they were raucous, rude, behaving inappropriately I’d agree with you. All they did was show that they were of a certain mindset by wearing an article of clothing. That shouldn’t have resulted in their being denied communion. Only to a Bush Republican.
May 19, 2005 @ 3:24 pm | Comment
13
By Jim
Nonsense. First off, they had been informed that the sash represented a challenge to Church teaching – which it does. Thus, they had no standing to be worn at Mass. Mass on a high holy day is not the forum for challenging doctrinal issues. The Archbishop did not say they could not make their position known within all Church functions – just Mass. So it wasn’t like this was some big suprise that got sprung on this group when they got to the alter to receive communion. They chose a course of action knowing the result. They made their statement (ironically proving the Archbishop correct) – and the church made it’s statement.
So what’s the problem? Only the people wearing the sashes get to make a statement? Is your position that the Church’s rules are subordinate to the group’s political mindset? Is the Church to be required to allow any group to use Mass on a high holy day as a forum for challenges to Church doctrine?
“Only to a Bush Republican” Tsk tsk tsk. Do you feel your position is so weak that you need to resort to personal attacks?
May 20, 2005 @ 11:57 pm | Comment
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By richard
That’s not a personal attack. It applies to all Bush Republicans. I feel my position is incredibly strong, which is why this story inflamed Christians all over the world. Only the Bush Republicans shrugged it off, finding an excuse (oh, they were defying the church! and it was during Mass!) to let it go. Thank God real Christians have more of a conscience. They know Jesus never said a word about gays, and would welcome them into his flock. Hell, He’d even welcome Bush Republicans, though I’d urge Him to consider it carefully.
May 21, 2005 @ 10:15 am | Comment