Boston Catholic Church holds Mass for Gay People. Archdiocese condemns Father John.
By Maurice Lacunza
A conflict has been brewing in an unusual twist between Catholics and gays this week. A rebel priest named Father John J. Unni issued a bulletin for Mass to come celebrate Gay Pride Week with our gay brothers and neighbors. He partnered with The Rainbow Ministry of St. Cecilia Parish. The announcement "invites everyone to attend a prayer service on Sunday June 19 at 6 pm. Please bring your loved ones and friends. We seek to reaffirm our Catholic faith community as one which is open to and supportive of gay, lesbian, and trans-gendered persons in the loving Spirit of Christ."
Apparently the Archdiocese of Boston did not approve the bulletin because of anti-gay complaints by conservative Catholics. The Archdiocese released a statement that was reported in the The Boston Globe: “The wording and placement of a bulletin notice...may have given the unintended impression that the Mass is in support of Gay Pride Week; it is not,’’ said Terrence C. Donilon, a spokesman for the archdiocese. “The pastor will clarify this issue at the Masses this coming weekend.’’ Well, that is not what happened. To a packed house, Father John wandered the aisles of the church and gave a stirring speech about the need for inclusion instead of exclusion.
He turned beet red at times and many in the audience were crying. He said that his only agenda was Christ's agenda and it was time for us to love one another even when it is difficult.
The HuffPost Religion quoted Father John saying, "One in three teenagers who are gay will attempt suicide. If you are one of those who criticize our outreach, I ask you to look into your soul and ask whether there isn't a profound opportunity for service and mission when it comes to those young people." He challenged listeners to look inside their own heart and to see where they might be broken and afraid. He asked them if it was wrong to be doing something to help these young people.
I don't know what will happen to Father John. Will the Archdiocese censure him? I hope not. It is this type of love that church pastors and ministers can benefit from. I am encouraged to read this article because it gives me hope that the archaic church system so entrenched in fear may finally come around to see the light of what it means to love everyone.
A Christian should not be defined by their anti-gay beliefs or their anti-abortion sentiments. If anyone is going to judge anyone, leave it to God. After all, Jesus said that we should judge not.
June 19, 2011 is just around the corner. If you live in the Boston area, please show your support and join the Catholics and Father John in celebrating God's love for ALL of his people.
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| Catholic Church rebels by including gay people at Mass |
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| Father John broke it down! He got a standing ovation for two straight minutes |
He turned beet red at times and many in the audience were crying. He said that his only agenda was Christ's agenda and it was time for us to love one another even when it is difficult.
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| Not just for Christians. For ALL. |
A Christian should not be defined by their anti-gay beliefs or their anti-abortion sentiments. If anyone is going to judge anyone, leave it to God. After all, Jesus said that we should judge not.
June 19, 2011 is just around the corner. If you live in the Boston area, please show your support and join the Catholics and Father John in celebrating God's love for ALL of his people.
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