Cathedral Damaged In Apparent Anti-Gay Exorcism

Star Tribune ^ | November 24, 2004 | Herón Márquez Estrada

[wallcrawlr]

An informal exorcism performed at the Cathedral of St. Paul this month was more profane than sacred and was directed toward gay Catholics, police and church authorities said Tuesday.

They said the ritualistic sprinkling of blessed oil and salt around the church and in donation boxes amounted to costly vandalism and possibly even a hate crime.

The damage was discovered Nov. 7 after the noon mass, and after words were exchanged between members of the Rainbow Sash Alliance, a gay rights group, and the opposing group, Catholics Against Sacrilege.

[sinkspur]

He said he received an e-mail Nov. 5 from a man who threatened to douse Rainbow Sash members at the Nov. 7 mass with what he described as "exorcised" oil blessed by a priest.

Bayly said the same man often shows up at CPCSM and Rainbow Sash events and prays the rosary but staying apart from group members.

"I didn't make the connection until now," Bayly said Tuesday.

Uh, there's your prime suspect.

[anniegetyourgun]

Very ugly.

[eastsider]

A report was filed with St. Paul police, who said the case could be prosecuted as a hate crime if someone is arrested.

What drivel. Hate against whom? The pastor whose church was vandalized?

[sinkspur]

I don't like the "hate crime" designation either. But, this perp sounds possibly dangerous, to me.

[wallcrawlr]

Agreed. Hate crime?? Dont get that one.

The fellow does seem to be going out of his way to do what some of us may spiritually agree with but not act upon.

[avg_freeper]

It buuuuuurns! It buuuurns!

[jjmcgo]

Obvious media bias:

A group of mainstream Catholics defending their faith is labeled a "fringe group." Meanwhile, a group of sinners, whose very advocacy of their sinful behaviors is another sin, is treated as mainstream by the media.
There is no such thing as a gay Catholic organization. People who spread heresy self-excommunicate.

[Uncle Miltie]

"words were exchanged between members of the Rainbow Sash Alliance, a gay rights group, and the opposing group, Catholics Against Sacrilege"

Comedy scripts should be submitted here.

[SoothingDave]

Wanderer Editorial:

The only public explanation given by Archbishop Flynn for allowing the rainbow sashers to receive Holy Communion is that he does not want the Eucharist to become the focal point of contentiousness and battle. But does yielding to aggressive groups who are willing to commit sacrilege constitute too dear a price to pay for "peace"?

Is it possible that Archbishop Flynn really believes that homosexual sashers are properly disposed to receive Holy Communion? It would seem that public advocacy of a gravely disordered lifestyle would be contrary to having a proper disposition, but if the Archbishop holds a different view he should have the integrity and honesty to publicly so declare.

In any event, the permissive attitude shown by Archbishop Flynn — and in some cases advocacy and outright support by other clerics and Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese — toward militant homosexual groups and individuals and their various projects and programs — often sponsored by parishes and other Catholic institutions — cries out for investigation by higher authority. The Catholic faith of the people of this Archdiocese is much too important to allow this situation to continue its anarchical drift.

Also, Original story

SD

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

I take it he showed as much concern for the cost and damage as the clergy abuse scandals.

In general, at Mass it is inappropriate for people to wear symbols, uniforms, or other visible displays intended to communicate dissent from or opposition to Catholic teachings. The result is that the Mass is profaned by using it to stage a political protest (which is not what the Mass is about).

Anyone who dresses in a way intended to disrupt Mass or offend other people at Mass is doing something VERY wrong. And it is certainly wrong for any of the clergy to encourage this.

[sinkspur]

A group of mainstream Catholics defending their faith is labeled a "fringe group."

There's nothing mainstream about destroying property. It's criminal.

[jjmcgo]

At this point, whodunit is unknown. And, it appears the loner who is being pointed out is not part of the mainstream defenders' group.

[ElPatriota]

Hate? I think hate is when one wants to chop someone's head off. That to me is hate. However, fighting for what one considers important? it's more like conviction, guts, you duty, you might say, it's a "moral value," :)

[eastsider]

It is entirely inappropriate to wear a symbol of dissent at the Eucharist, which is the sign of Catholic unity. Having said that, it is the priest's call regarding who receives communion because Christ instituted an intrinsic nexus between the sacraments of Holy Orders and the Eucharist. Those who disagree with his decision should take their cause to Rome, not kneel in the aisles at Communion or toss oil onto the pews after hours.

[hattend]

There is no such thing as a gay Catholic organization. People who spread heresy self-excommunicate.

BTTT

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

St. John Fisher, pray for us!

[miele man]

Dignity and Integrity have neither.

[savedbygrace]

Good thing men like the rector weren't around during the first Passover. Imagine all the hours that would have been spent to get all that blood off the doorposts.

The only NT reference I find to anoint or anointing is in James, the elders anointing the sick. THE OT references to anointing the altar are unconvincing in this case, IMO.

Even so, to raise a stink and get the secular authorities involved in the thing is pretty weak on the part of the rector, IMO.

[eastsider]

Good thing men like the rector weren't around during the first Passover. Imagine all the hours that would have been spent to get all that blood off the doorposts.

The Jews left town right after the first Passover. I doubt they bothered to clean up ...