Joe Sacerdo over at Bryan Hehir Exposed is reporting that, "Once again, in the diocese where 'relativism' is a household word, we’ve got a Boston Catholic parish hosting a Mass to celebrate 'Gay Pride' with the full knowledge of the archdiocesan hierarchy. The same parish’s 'Rainbow Ministry' is also sponsoring a trip to see the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and on the same page with those notices, they ask parishioners to support the retirement, medical and financial needs of the priests of the Archdiocese who have have given their lives to faithfully serve Christ.
The parish is St. Cecilia in Boston. Here’s their latest bulletin, and the troubling notices:
'Liturgy to commemorate Boston Pride 2011
The Rainbow Ministry of Saint Cecilia Parish invites all friends and supporters of the LGBT community to a Mass in celebration of Boston’s Pride Month. The liturgy will take place on Sunday evening, June 19, at six o’clock, with a reception following. The theme of the liturgy, “All Are Welcome,” honors Christ’s message of hope and salvation to all people. We will also celebrate the diverse community that finds its home at Saint Cecilia and acknowledge, in a special way, the generous and warm welcome extended to the members of the Jesuit Urban Center in 2007. The Mass will be celebrated by Father John Unni and concelebrated by several of the priests who faithfully ministered at the Jesuit Urban Center for many years. Please plan to attend this special liturgy and support the diversity that makes Saint Cecilia such a special place.'
Joe writes, "A year ago almost to the day we posted about the problem of false compassion to homosexuals. Here’s a little bit of what Cardinal Sean O’Malley said in a letter on Homosexuality in 2005, (before Fr. Bryan Hehir started handling everything related to faith and morals in the Archdiocese of Boston):
The extreme individualism of our age is undermining the common good and fractionalizing the community. We do not want Catholics who have a homosexual orientation to feel unwelcomed in the Catholic Church. We remind them that they are bound to us by their baptism and are called to live a life of holiness.
At the same time the Church must minister to all people by challenging them to obey God’s commands, the roadmap for a meaningful human life that allows us to draw near to God and to one another. If we tell people that sex outside of marriage is not a sin, we are deceiving people. If they believe this untruth, a life of virtue becomes all but impossible. Jesus teaches that discipleship implies taking up the cross each day and following Him with love and courage.
It is never easy to deliver a message that calls people to make sacrifices or to do difficult things. Sometimes people want to punish the messenger. For this reason we priests at times find it difficult to articulate the Church’s teaching on sexual morality. It is important to express the moral teachings of the Church with clarity and fidelity. The Church must be Church. We must teach the truths of the Gospel in season and out of season. These recent times seem to us like it is “out of season”, but for that very reason it is even more urgent to teach the hard words of the Gospel today.
Calling people to embrace the cross of discipleship, to live the commandments and at the same time assuring them that we love them as brothers and sisters can be difficult. Sometimes we are told: “If you do not accept my behavior, you do not love me.” In reality we must communicate the exact opposite: “Because we love you, we cannot accept your behavior.”
Celebrating a 'Gay Pride' Mass isn’t expressing the moral teachings of the Church with clarity and fidelity or telling people their behavior is unacceptable–it’s telling them their behavior is just fine. Take Action today by calling Cardinal O’Malley at 617-782-2544. Ask him to cancel the Gay Pride Mass at St. Cecilia along with their “Rainbow Ministry” and put the pastors of both parishes who promoted this event on leave." Full post here.
There is another reason why this is so troubling. The "Gay Pride" Mass is an attempt to politicize the Holy Mass for the purpose of homosexual agitprop. In the words of His Excellency, The Most Rev. Thomas Doran: "We do not politicize the Mass...The Mass is an act of worship. It is not the place for political or ideological statements." (See here).
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a document signed by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and now Pope Benedict XVI and entitled Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons, said that marriage, "is not just any relationship between human beings. It was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential properties and purpose" and that this truth is so evident that "no ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman." (No. 2).
Considerations insists that, "There are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God's plan for marriage and family. Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law. Homosexual acts 'close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.'" (No. 4).
But Considerations says more. It teaches clearly (unless you're an official from the Boston Archdiocese apparently) that Catholics have a duty to offer "clear and emphatic opposition" even where homosexual unions have been legalized saying that, "the approval or legalization of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil." (No. 5).
What is a "Gay Pride Mass" but the toleration of evil? Can the Archdiocese of Boston honestly claim to be offering "clear and emphatic opposition" to the homosexual agenda when it tolerates the politicization of the Holy Mass to advance homosexual agitprop? Is this respect for the teaching authority of the Church? Is this respect for the Holy Eucharist?
Or is it something else entirely?
What do you think?
Related reading here.
22 comments:
A "gay pride" Mass is blasphemy. And Cardinal O'Malley is silent. Reprehensible.
If gays are living a chaste and celibate life, like the Church calls them to, I don't see what the problem with holding this Mass is.
Your arrogance knows no limits. Do you really think you know better than the archdiocese? No wonder they won't let you be a priest, you are insane and megalomaniacal.
The so-called 'Soho Masses' happens in London, England:
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2010/07/16/the-scandal-of-the-soho-masses/
It's the same problem.
Yes anonymous, I'm the one who is insane. I accept the Church's teaching, the Commandments of God and the Natural Law.
And rejecting truth is sane?
Anonymous, the words "Gay Pride" have a very definite meaning. You obviously haven't read this post. The Mass is not supposed to be politicized. This is even more egregious since the Church's teaching regarding homosexual acts and the homosexual inclination could not be more clear. Read 2357 of the Catechism.
Paul, you are obviously a bright man. Why waste so much of your attention on homosexuals?
Mary, because homosexuals are constantly shoving their "lifestyle" and their proclivities in our faces. Because Pope Benedict XVI called abortion and homosexuality the two most insidious threats to human society.
Mary, why visit this Blog if Catholicism upsets you so?
You people are insane. God created people the way they are. No one at St Cecilia is talking about sex, so calm down. There is nothing wrong with this, which is why the Archdiocese is allowing it to happen. So, be good Catholics and try keeping quiet for a few minutes.
Wendy,
I never said Paul's blog upset me. He is a brilliant Biblical scholar, even if some of his subjects bothered me his work would still be worth reading.
Have you ever considered that the more attention you give homosexuals the more you help their cause? There is so much else to speak of, it just seems unhealthy to focus so much time on them.
I do agree with what Paul sees of them.
Anonymous wrote, "If gays are living a chaste and celibate life, like the Church calls them to, I don't see what the problem with holding this Mass is."
Chaste and celibate life? Then why the "Gay Pride" moniker? If one is "proud" of an orientation which is "intrinsically disordered," that is just strange. But to be proud of homosexual acts and to proclaim this during the liturgy is demonic.
The Archdiocese of Boston under Cardinal O'Malley is becoming demonic.
Mary, when the CDF says that Catholics should offer "clear and emphatic opposition" to the homosexual agenda, how do you interpret this?
I don't give much thought to homosexuals, I prefer to put my attention on more important matters. I have faith that God's will is more powerful than their agenda.
Well Mary, the Holy Father disagrees with you. And since is Vicar of Christ, perhaps you should exercise a little humility? The Holy Father has said that same-sex "marriage" and abortion are the greatest threats to humanity.
Remember the words of Sir Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
I guess you want evil to triumph.
I have to laugh whenever someone talks about the "homosexual agenda." Just what is this agenda? In my parish, we have gay couples who are raising their children in the most responsible way. Two professionals who spent a long time and a lot of money to adopt a child from a very poor country, who are providing him with a wonderful education, who bring him to Mass every Sunday and religious ed, one of whom is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, they participate in Christian outreach, help him with his homework at night, spend time with family, etc. If this is the "homosexual agenda" it looks very similar to my own home life. So, just as their is no "heterosexual agenda" please think twice before speaking of a "homosexual agenda." Sure, some gay people are promiscuous, but so are plenty of straight people.
Paul, keep up the great work. I look forward to seeing what you share next. I'd prefer not to respond to Wendy any further, it seems she has the wrong idea of me and I don't want to reduce your blog by arguing with someone who I already agree with.
Stay strong, and peace be with you.
Anonymous, there is most definitely a homosexual agenda:
http://lasalettejourney.
blogspot.com/2008/11/
homosexual-hate-movement-
shows-its-true.html
Homosexual acts are gravely sinful and contrary to the Natural Law. You mention an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist who is an active homosexual. This is simply outrageous and yet further proof that the Boston Archdiocese is in freefall.
I see, I see.
I still fail to see how Paul can be right,and the Archbishop wrong.
It's happened before anon. Saint Paul told our first Pope - Peter - that he was wrong (not on a doctrinal point but on a more of a pastoral issue) and corrected him. See the Book of Acts.
Paul is right and the Cardinal is wrong. The Mass should never be politicized.
Is anyone planning to attend this Mass?
PRIDE and GAY.
Two very distinct sinful acts.
WHY is the Archbishop silent? This group should be excommunicated! It is NOT in line with Roman Catholic Dogma and Teaching!
How can the Mass be offered for the intention of a sinful act? The most holiest ritual and sacrifice the priest offers, and it is offered for degenerates and homosexual? Wait till Michael Voris researches and hears about this perverted story.
But I am sure those homosexuals give a lot of money to the Parish, that is why the Archbishop is silent about it.
Um Archbishop, with all due respect to your holy office-----are you NOT aware of the Bishop of Toowoomba Australia for committing the same grave sinful acts that you do?
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