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June 27, 2008

Archdiocese Intervenes in Church's Gay Pride Service

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has told a liberal Roman Catholic church in Minneapolis that it can't hold its annual gay pride prayer service because the event goes against the teachings of the church.

St. Joan of Arc Church has held the prayer service for several years in conjunction with the annual Twin Cities Pride Celebration. The archdiocese, however, suggested that the church hold a "peace" service with no mention of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

"That descriptor [LGBT] was not possible on church property. We suggested they shift it, change the nature of it a little bit, and they did," archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath said. "The reason is quite simply because it was an LGBT pride prayer service, and that is really inimical to the teachings of the Catholic Church."

Officials with the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, an independent coalition promoting acceptance of gays in the Catholic Church, said they consider the action an attack by Archbishop John Nienstedt, who took the helm of the archdiocese in May.

Nienstedt has said homosexuality is a disorder and is a leader in the campaign to persuade the Minnesota legislature to prohibit same-sex unions. (AP)

© 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Joe
    Date posted: 2008-06-27 3:30 PM
    Hometown: Fort Worth

    Comment:

    I'm Catholic, though my faith is hanging by a thread every time I read the Church engaging in bigotry. To hear that acceptance of LGBT people is "inimical to the teachings of the Catholic Church" is sad & despicable.


  • Name: Allen
    Date posted: 2008-06-27 1:35 AM
    Hometown: San antonio

    Comment:

    Like so many, the catholic church has lost its way. This probably is a good move on their part since they are severely deficient in priests. The less catholics in the world the better their position with the limited number of priests.


  • Name: Beta
    Date posted: 2008-06-26 10:41 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    I think such kind of pride service makes great sense.It gives us an opportunity to join hands as a group of people with common issues. I have many gay and bisexual friends on the site BiLoves want to take part in it. It gives us an opportunity to join hands as a group of people with common issues.


  • Name: Roger
    Date posted: 2008-06-26 10:16 PM
    Hometown: NewBedford,MA

    Comment:

    Since when is the "RC Church" in the business of punishing "disorders"? Shouldn't they reach out to all with compassion and love? Jesus the Shepard would never segregate His flock. Love your neighbor, the second most important commandment.


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