Posted on 05/15/2005 1:10:53 PM PDT by NYer
CHICAGO, May 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Peter LaBarbera, executive director of Illinois Family Institute, released the following statement today in response to the latest protest by the homosexual group "Rainbow Sash" in Catholic churches on Pentecost Sunday (May 15):
"Illinois Family Institute encourages Catholics throughout Illinois to ignore the homosexual activist group 'Rainbow Sash,' which stoops to a new low by using the Sunday Mass as a platform for advancing a sinful lifestyle. We applaud Cardinal Francis George of Chicago for properly rejecting Rainbow Sash demands-- and for not welcoming them as have some Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Roger Mahoney of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
"Rainbow Sash seeks to overturn ancient Catholic teachings by celebrating homosexual unions and even 'gay marriage.' Catholic doctrine is clear: people struggling with homosexuality are to be treated with compassion and respect, yet homosexual acts are 'intrinsically disordered,' constitute 'grave depravity,' and "under no circumstances can they be approved.'
"Rainbow Sash is a reminder that the greatest corruption to religion in modern America comes from the Left, not the Right. Rather than humbly seeking to conform to God's image, social leftists are determined to conform Him to theirs. While the prophets of old preached holy truths to a stubborn people, left- wing groups like Rainbow Sash and Equality Illinois lecture the Church and Christians in general for adhering--that is, being faithful, like Cardinal George--to traditional Biblical truths. They are the emissaries of a self-centered spirituality grounded in their own feelings and desires, not the loving dictates of a holy God.
"Moreover, the arrogant protests of Rainbow Sash--disrupting church services to display their homosexuality-affirming colors-- are yet another reminder of the fruits of 'gay' activism. Everywhere Americans turn these days, they are confronted by-- yes, obnoxious--homosexual activism. When they turn on the evening news, they see two men kissing as the commentators discuss 'gay marriage.' When they send their kids to school, they are shocked to learn that the lesson today was about why having two mommies is no worse than having a mom and a dad. Thanks to our city leaders, next summer in Chicago, we'll all be subjected to the spectacle of the "Gay Games."
And now, even in the sanctuary of church, Americans are not free from 'gay' agitation. Perhaps the desperate, ubiquitous demands for approval of their unnatural behavior are a sign that deep down, people practicing homosexuality know they are not living right. Now is the time for them to heed the muffled call of their Christ-informed conscience rather than the confused cry of angry 'gay' crusaders whose ultimate argument is with God Himself."
Tell me that is not St. Patricks.
What church is that?
Anyone attend Mass at the Cathedral in IL this morning? Please post reactions ... thanks.
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My fiancee did not see any sashers at the 11am Mass at the Cathedral. The first picture on the thread though, wonder what Cathedral that is. Agreed, reconsecration needed.
No sashes at the 10:00 Mass at my parish either.
The photo in post #1 was taken at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral last year when Cardinal George refused communion to those wearing Rainbow Sashes. This was his statement:
"Eucharist is not a place to deform the meaning of our beliefs," the cardinal added. "Our most profound act of worship is receiving holy Communion. We can talk this through in other places, but not make the Eucharist a statement -- except that this is the body of Christ and we receive it on his terms."
Good for Cardinal George. Sure wish that Pope Benedict had chosen him as Defender of the Faith.
Okay ... the stories are now beginning to break. This is from this morning's Mass at the Cathedral in St. Paul, Minnesota.
AP - Sun May 15, 3:50 PM ET
Members of The Rainbow Sash Alliance enter the Cathedral of St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, May 15, 2005. A group of about 100 gay Roman Catholics and their supporters were denied Holy Communion at Pentecost Mass at the cathedral. The Rainbow Sash Alliance has been taking Communion on Pentecost at the Cathedral for the past four years, but Archbishop Harry Flynn changed the policy this year. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter)
How sad.
AP - Sun May 15, 4:04 PM ET
Charlie LaPierre, right, greets Rainbow Sash Alliance supporters outside the Cathedral of St. Paul, in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, May 15, 2005. A group of about 100 gay Roman Catholics and their supporters were denied Holy Communion at Pentecost Mass at the Cathedral. The Rainbow Sash Alliance has been taking Communion on Pentecost at the Cathedral for the past four years, but Archbishop Harry Flynn changed the policy this year. (AP Photo/Janet Hostetter)
Kudos to the bishops who are growing spines for whatever reason.
This is such a sad thing to see. Thankful they were denied communion and thankful this is not something we have to deal with in my parish. I pray that these people will learn why they were denied and make some life changes. I fear they are lost!
More like exorcised.
Does anyone know if Archbishop Levada's Mass had the Rainbow Slashers attending??
Does anyone know if Archbishop Levada's Mass had the Rainbow Slashers attending??
I've said this before and I'll say it again: just about eveybody has had some disordered sexual behavior in their life. Or, if not sexual --- fornication, divorce, contraception, adultery, whatever --- then some disorder of SOME kind, including things like alcoholism and eating disorders.
The point here is not that "people with sexual disorders can't receive Communion." The point is that you repent your sins, you confess your sins, you face up to the fact that you have some weakness or kinks in your character that need some repair, and you seek our merciful, powerful Savior for healing and redemption.
You don't come up for Communion wearing a button, badge, sash or T-shirt proclaiming pride about your particular moral difficulty.
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