Posted on 07/11/2011 3:17:16 PM PDT by NYer
It made headlines last month when it was scheduled, then cancelled — but the controversial “Rainbow Mass” finally went on yesterday.
The Boston Globe was there:
The Rainbow Ministry of St. Cecilia’s Church opened its doors to nearly 700 people yesterday for a long-awaited Mass in support of gay and lesbian Catholics, capping a month of controversy over the Boston Archdiocese’s postponement of the service.
A standing-room-only crowd, larger than Easter Sunday’s, packed the pews to hear the Rev. John J. Unni’s characteristically fiery message of love, acceptance, and the forgiveness of sins.
Unni’s message, which encouraged the congregation to welcome outcasts as Jesus did 2,000 years ago, was similar to that of weeks past. The difference yesterday, parishioners said, was Unni’s courage to say those words during a Mass that has drawn so much vitriol as well as passionate support.
“This is not about taking a stand; it’s about standing in the right place,’’ Unni said as members of the congregation, packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the non-air conditioned sanctuary, fanned themselves with programs. “Be with the outcasts. Be with those relegated to the margins.’’
His words marked the fifth week of back and forth between the church and the archdiocese, which began when St. Cecilia’s announced in its bulletin an “All Are Welcome’’ Mass, scheduled during Gay Pride Month in support of a sizable gay and lesbian portion of the congregation. Many of those members came from the South End’s predominantly gay Jesuit Urban Center, which closed in 2007.
The announcement brought a storm of criticism from conservative Catholics and bloggers. The archdiocese canceled the service days later, saying the church could not appear to endorse homosexuality.
The day of the canceled Mass, parishioners from St. Cecilia’s Rainbow Ministry, which serves the church’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, held a sidewalk prayer service instead. But Rainbow Ministry members said that was no substitute for a clergy-led Mass inside the church. About three weeks ago, the archdiocese approved the Mass, which Unni said yesterday at 11 a.m.
Leading the processional, Rainbow Ministry president John Kelly walked into the nave in front of Unni, carrying a gold cross.
“I can’t believe this is happening,’’ Kelly later recalled thinking as he approached the altar. “I never thought I’d see this day.’’
After growing up gay in South Boston, Kelly, 69, left Catholicism for more than 20 years before finding compassion and a diverse congregation at the Jesuit Urban Center.
“I went through hell,’’ Kelly said. “But today, I’ve never felt so blessed.’’
Many in the congregation wore “All Are Welcome’’ buttons showing a cross and a rainbow, the symbol of the gay rights movement.
“Thank you for saying, ‘This is who we are,’ ’’ Unni said to gay and lesbian parishioners at the end of Mass. “You are a beautiful and integral part of this parish.’’
There were so many comments posted to the blog that Deacon Greg had to close the thread.
The Pope needs to shut it down.
Leviticus 20:13
The Catholic position is love the sinner, hate the sin.
That being said, the parish church attached to my Catholic high school used to have a weekly mass ministering to these lost souls a couple of blocks from Greenwich Village, which had to be discontinued due to its becoming a scheduled homosexual cruising event attended by people without even a tenuous connection to the Catholic Church.
In the weeks that followed this, vitriol directed at the Church increased. One day, I was standing on the subway next to a friend wearing a sweatshirt printed with our school’s name (the same name as the parish church) - just as the doors were closing, a queer standing on the platform spit in his face.
Boston, get your mind right.
Rev. Unni’s message that Jesus ‘welcomed outcasts’ neglected to mention that homosexual behavior is clearly defined as sin in the Old Testament. Jesus never said that no longer applied, just as heterosexual fornication was still defined as sin in the New Covenant. Jesus also instructed sinners to repent, not to keep doing what they were doing. The ‘Jesus loves everyone’ theme is a half-truth. Yes, Jesus loved mankind so much that he freely died on the cross for us. However, he didn’t die for us so that we could continue to willfully sin and then celebrate the sin while expecting a heavenly reward for doing so, as long as we attended church and performed the proper church rituals. This service is a disgrace and Reverend Unni has misplaced his compassion.
The Catholic position is love the sinner, hate the sin.
Yes .. I am familiar with that position. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate how it is extended into the local community. At some point in time, it becomes necessary to address the sinner and give him/her the hard facts.
Thanks for the post and ping!
“At some point in time, it becomes necessary to address the sinner and give him/her the hard facts.”
Agreed. With the experience I mentioned above, one among many, I think that time is right from the start. Love can be shown in admonishment for errors as well.
Queer Mass.
So what’s next, Baby killer Mass...Child Molester Mass, Serial Rapist Mass?
I can’t understand how the archdiocese (presumably, the Archbishop, Sean O’Malley) could have approved this.
UUNI is dancing on the trapdoors of HELL!!
It’s OBVIOUS that UUNI is a FLAMING GAY!!!!! DEFROCK HIM.....NOW!!!!
“About three weeks ago, the archdiocese approved the Mass, which Unni said yesterday at 11 a.m.”
Apparently appearing to endorse homosexuality is not so bad after all.
What side were the comments on?
And wagglebee, this is a Catholic Caucus thread, is it okay to ping it out?
If NYer wanted to change it to ecumenical it would be okay, but it's her call.
Thanks, I won’t.
How about this one, it’s Religion Forum but not a Caucus thread?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2746248/posts
Presbyterians, Change Hearts & Minds, Begin Ordaining Gays
Religion Dispatches ^ | 8 Jul 2011 | MARYANN MCKIBBEN DANA
Paging Marcus, Paging Marcus
Yep, I figured it was the Jebbies. You know, everyone SHOULD be welcome at Mass, but then, no one should be advertising their particular sexual proclivities at Mass, either. And if the readings and the sermon makes you feel uncomfortable, maybe it's your conscience bothering you because you KNOW that what you're doing is sinful.
As for the pastor's fiery sermons about forgiveness of sins, he must have forgotten the part about confessing and REPENTING of sins, before they can be forgiven. But then, I guess the only sinfulness the pastor can recognize is the sin of not joyfully welcoming his homosexual parishoners.
Christ had no breach between charity and morality. You cannot have an authentic version of one without the other. A whip of cords might be necessary for clergy that encourage this sort of thing.
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