San Francisco Archbishop Responds After Caught on Video Giving Communion to Gay Men Dressed as Nuns

LifeSiteNews ^ | 10/10/07 | John-Henry Westen

[wagglebee]

SAN FRANCISCO, October 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Last Sunday, October 7, San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer said Mass at a Catholic church in the heart of the 'gay district' of Castro.  Most Holy Redeemer parish has a lamentable reputation of having caved in to demands of homosexual activists.  One group of homosexual activists which until recently operated regularly out of the parish was called "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", men who wear makeup and dress as Catholic nuns.  Archbishop Niederauer was filmed giving two members of this group Holy Communion Sunday.

The "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", whose motto is "go and sin some more" and describes itself as a "leading-edge order of queer nuns," planned to hold regular bingo games at Most Holy Redeemer parish until Catholic activists reported the plans to the press.  A local homosexual newspaper, the San Francisco Bay Times, reported that the events at the parish included sexually explicit activities.  Prizes included porn DVDs and "sex toys" the paper said.

Since then the parish has refused the "Sisters" use of its facilities.  However, according to local Catholic activists some of the "Sisters" continue to attend services at the church.

Anthony Gonzales, president of St. Joseph's Men Society, a group which has taken action to curb outrageous anti-Catholic activities within local Catholic churches, spoke with LifeSiteNews.com about the incident Sunday.  Gonzales said that while his group decided to film the event and "let the evidence speak for itself."

 "This was such a blasphemous action within a Catholic Church by an Archbishop representing Roman Catholicism it would make Judas blush," Gonzales told LifeSiteNews.com.  "To hand over our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to known practicing and promoting sodomites, in the middle of a 'gay-friendly Mass' is beyond the pale.

Gonzales said his group is calling on the Vatican to take action.  "The Vatican has to react to this and has to remove him from office," he said.

Gonzales' group has not yet been able to post their video online. However, a separate video of the event has been placed online by the Catholic blogsite Quamdiu Domine and is available here: http://www.qdomine.com/Morality_pages/MHR.htm

LifeSiteNews.com contacted the office of Archbishop Niederauer for a response to the accusations.  A statement by Archbishop Niederauer sent to LifeSiteNews.com by Archdiocesan communications director Maurice Healy says that the Archbishop did not notice any "mock religious garb." 

"At Most Holy Redeemer Church Oct. 7, I noticed no protest, no demonstration, no disruption of the Sunday Eucharist," said Archbishop Nierderauer.  "The congregation was devout and the liturgy was celebrated with reverence. Toward the end of the Communion line two strangely dressed persons came to receive Communion. I did not see any mock religious garb. As I recall, one of them wore a large flowered hat or garland."

The "Sisters" were heavily involved in the recent Folsom Street Fair which in addition to full nudity and public sex acts by homosexuals involved included a mockery of the Last Supper with Christ and his apostles represented by leather-clad homosexuals.  Bishop Niederauer stressed that he had denounced the poster.  "In the past when the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or other groups have ridiculed the Church I have denounced their actions," said the Archbishop. "Only a week ago, Catholic San Francisco carried my remarks condemning the derisive use of the Last Supper on a poster printed by some other local group."

Americans for Truth, an Illinois based national pro-family group has joined in the call to have Vatican authorities made aware of the scandal.  Peter LeBarbara founder of the group encouraged "Catholics and other concerned pro-family Americans" to voice their concerns and provided the following contact information for Vatican authorities:

His Excellency The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi
The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
The Apostolic Nunciature
3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-3687
phone: 202-333-7121
fax:     202-337-4036

Cardinal William J. Levada
Prefect
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
[Secretary: Most Rev. Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B.]
Piazza del S. Uffizio 11
00l93 Rome, Italy
Europe
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.33.57
phone: 011.39.06.69.88.34.13
fax:      011.39.06.69.88.34.09
email:  cdf@cfaith.va

[xzins]

It might surprise you, but I did not post this thread.

[xsmommy]

TOTALLY outrageous!

[Pyro7480]

We all have things in our denominations that need fixing, but if there’s something rotten in Denmark, brother, then you’ve gotta fix it. It’s just gotta be more important than blasting away at us protestants.

After these problems have been brewing over decades, you think they're going to be fixed overnight? Think again. The Church has always moved slowly and carefully. Sodomites and other degenerates have infiltrated her in the past, and men and women faithful have always risen to the occasion. But you would have none of that. It's always "we rest our case." The "Reformist" spirit has always been one of throwing the baby out with the dirty bathwater.

[xzins]

The bottom line: your denomination is no better than the rest. That’s what “we rest our case” means.

We “ecclesial communities” are on the outside looking in....right?

Well, I don’t like what I see in there. I’m just gonna keep on hanging out on this street corner.....Seems must safer & saner, if ya know what I mean. Inside there are Gay guys dressed up as nuns getting wafers from a gay guy dressed up in robes. Gimmeabreak!

[marshmallow]

Yer honor, we rest our case.

If only..........:-)

Would that it were true.

Somehow, I don't think Catholicism will be getting any rest from you guys while you can still fog a mirror.

[Pyro7480]

The bottom line: your denomination is no better than the rest. That’s what “we rest our case” means.

If you're judging by the people, you may have a case, since they're sinners in all places at all times.

But we are better in other senses, and I don't apologize for this truth.

[marshmallow]

The bottom line: your denomination is no better than the rest. That’s what “we rest our case” means.

Yes it is, but not because of the behavior of some of those who are supposed to be its princes.

It's true that there have been and still are some absolute rogues within the Catholic Church and we've often done an absolutely scandalous job of living the faith and setting good example. The Reformation is one result of this.

However, battered and bloodied as it is, it is still the Bride of Christ, possessing the fullness of truth and apostolic succession.

[marshmallow]

Ever seen a picture of what happened in Gethsemane? Neither have I. But it must look a little similar to what is in the two pics on the right.

We see a member of the apostles (or at least one of their successors) handing Jesus over to the mob to be led away and tortured.

[wmfights]

We all have things in our denominations that need fixing, but if there’s something rotten in Denmark, brother, then you’ve gotta fix it.

Do you believe they can reform their church? Historically, the only course for reformers has been to leave.

[magisterium]

And when that happy day comes when Rome completes the moral housecleaning that you insist upon (it is already underway, but has a long way to go yet, obviously), will that be all you require to get your nose off the window and knock on the door? Prolly not. You imply that there is some tipping point at which Rome achieves legitimacy in your eyes, but we all know, as yours is merely an opinion based on type, that there will always be something that forestalls your acceptance of the Catholic Church. That gives an illogical air to the constant protestations you make about being an "ecclesial community" as far as the Church is concerned. If the Church is so manifestly bad, why should you care about its definitions of communities outside of itself?

Satan is attacking the Church from within because he sees it as the primary institution in opposition to his self-perception as Prince of this world. He seems to be making much headway in his efforts to destroy the Church from within, but his time grows short. God is sovereign. Satan knows this, and is in the same process of flailing about as he is in individuals when he is about to be exorcised. His desperation shows. This fiasco is just one instance illustrating his desperation. When things change for the better - and they will, soon - what will be your "problem" with the Church then?

You will indeed always be "on the outside looking in." Unless you open your discernment to the whisperings of the Spirit, that is.

[HarleyD]

Oh, c’mon! You have consistent attitude to lack at the utter WORST in the Catholic faith...Get the plank out of your own eye first!

Is the Catholic Church in the "habit" of giving our Lord's grace to those who openly mock the church and then supporting those who lie about it? I think it's entirely fair to criticize this Archbishop. You should feel the same. Our Lord also said, "Those who are not for us are against us."

[Pyro7480]

Of course, it’s reformable. The real “Reformation” inside the Catholic Church was called the Counter-Reformation, which wasn’t just a reaction to the Protestant Revolution, but also a renewal.

[Romulus]

This thread is one high prelate’s grave sinfulness — not about opposition to the Catholic Church as a principle.

[Pyro7480]

Is the Catholic Church in the "habit" of giving our Lord's grace to those who openly mock the church and then supporting those who lie about it?

Of course, I support this group who exposed it. But your "support" has its own agenda behind it.

[xzins]

fog a mirror

Well, that'll be for eternity. :>)

[wmfights]

Of course, it’s reformable. The real “Reformation” inside the Catholic Church was called the Counter-Reformation,...

What changed as a result of the "Counter-Reformation".

[xzins]

You imply that there is some tipping point at which Rome achieves legitimacy in your eyes,

You either forget or don't know that I am the ecumenist in this mix. I believe in Christian unity with all my heart.

Jesus prayed, "Father, let them all be one..."

There will be a day when we get all this mess straightened out and we will all be one.

In the meantime, every true Christian everywhere through all time in all our various denominations comprises the holy universal Church.

[xzins]

Revelation 2-3 suggests it can be done in some....Ephesus, for example. The instruction to Thytira seemed to be that the Christians should hold on and that God would root out the heretics.

[magisterium]

Uh...you might notice that all of the identifiable Catholics on this thread are doing nothing except criticizing the archbishop! Criticism of the archbishop is not at issue. Xzins' implication, when he said "Yer honor, we rest our case," is that this scandal is both normative and sanctioned officially by the Church. That is utter nonsense, and Pyro took him up on it. Those who gleefully try to rub our noses in the dreck of this and other fiascos speak of their animus against Catholicism more eloquently with their demeanor than with anything they could actually say. Indeed, as you noted, "those who are not for us are against us." Thank you. You evidently think that the Catholic Church is so far removed from true Christianity that it is legitimate to cackle at current manifestations of its internal roilings. You should feel the same anger we do at these demonstrations from the Pit. That you don't is very sad indeed.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Somehow, I don't think Catholicism will be getting any rest from you guys while you can still fog a mirror.

God willing.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." -- Psalm 30:11-12

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"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." -- Galatians 5:1