Chi. Cardinal Repeats Gay-Klan Analogy

After softening his remarks comparing gay pride parade participants to the Ku Klux Klan, Chicago's Roman Catholic archbishop has repeated the analogy in an official statement on the archdiocese's website.

Cardinal Francis George's initial statement came last week during discussion of a controversy over the schedule for next year's parade, which would pass a Catholic church during Sunday Mass. While the schedule was subsequently changed to accommodate worshippers, George's comments have led to intense criticism and calls for his resignation.

He appeared conciliatory during a Christmas Day television interview, saying the comparison was "not with people and people -- it's parade-parade," but a statement posted on the archdiocesan website Tuesday says the parade's "organizers invited an obvious comparison to other groups who have historically attempted to stifle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church. One such organization is the Ku Klux Klan which, well into the 1940's, paraded through American cities not only to interfere with Catholic worship but also to demonstrate that Catholics stand outside of the American consensus."

He continued, "It is terribly wrong and sinful that gays and lesbians have been harassed and subjected to psychological and even physical harm. These tragedies can be addressed, however, without disturbing the organized and orderly public worship of God in a country that claims to be free. I am grateful that all parties concerned resolved this problem by moving the Parade's start time so as not to conflict with the celebration of Mass that Sunday."

The Catholic LGBT group Rainbow Sash Movement issued a statement today urging George to step down, reports Windy City Times, whose editor has also called on him to resign. "His attempts to unite Catholics in his political war against Civil Unions in the Illinois have failed miserably," the statement reads. "Most Catholics support the right of Gay and Lesbian people to love who they choose to. Catholics have not bought into the Cardinal's bigotry of trying to demonize GLBT people for legalizing their relationships under the law."