I went to my daughter’s confirmation in the Catholic Church this morning and got a lot more than I expected. I found another personal hero, along with former Sing Sing inmate Julio Medina and photojournalist Michael Kamber.
I am not Catholic. I was born Quaker and have never been baptized as that is not part of the Quaker tradition, though I do attend Episcopal Church in our neighborhood on a regular basis. My daughter’s mom, my first wife, is Catholic and is a long time parishioner at St. Cecelia’s in Boston. Both my kids by my first marriage have travelled to Haiti with Father John Unni, the priest at St. Cecelia’s to participate in his long term mission work there.
My daughter Kerry wore a bright yellow dress and carried the Bible over her head in the processional on the way down the aisle of a crowd that numbered close to a thousand, including such notable Boston icons as Peter Lynch, the Fidelity investment wizard. My son Seamus carried the cross, a senior alter server. The Bishop joined Father John for this special confirmation service. Kerry did the first reading beautifully and was indeed confirmed.
Everything was going along predictably, the mass ended, and Father John came forward to say a few final words, or so I thought.
I had noticed in the bulletin the following:
“The Rainbow Ministry of St. Cecilia Parish invites all friends and supporters of the LGBT community to a Mass in celebration of Boston’s Pride Month.The theme of the liturgy, ‘All Are Welcome,’ honors Christ’s message of hope and salvation to all people. We will also celebrate the diverse community that finds its home at St. Cecilia.’’
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I thought it pretty cool that such a thing could happen in a Catholic Church. Little did I know that there had been outrage over the service all week played out in the press, causing it to be postponed, and that The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston made the following statement in the Boston Globe:
“The wording and placement of a bulletin notice announcing that the St. Cecilia Rainbow Ministry will be joining the parish at a Mass on June 19 may have given the unintended impression that the Mass is in support of Gay Pride Week; it is not,’’ said Terrence C. Donilon, a spokesman for the archdiocese. “The pastor will clarify this issue at the Masses this coming weekend.’’
Without any idea of what was coming, I was about to witness Pastor John Unni’s clarification. What followed was one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever witnessed in any context. Apparently, Father John had an official message from the Archdiocese which he never read. Instead he walked amongst his flock, back and forth, speaking with so much passion that at times his face became red. He talked in the strongest terms possible about the importance of inclusion not exclusion. Several in the crowd near me wiped away tears as he spoke.
Father John explained that his only agenda was Christ’s agenda and that it was all of ours responsibility to love even when doing so was difficult. And this was one of those moments. He talked about the many messages of support he had gotten since the Rainbow Ministry’s mass had become front page news. But he had also received messages on email and message boards that were deeply troubling. He made it clear we all have a fundamental choice to make in our lives: we can either love or hate. And that Jesus teaches us to love the rich and the poor, the white and the black, the gay and the straight.
“I don’t know if you saw Chronicle the other night,” he concluded. “But one in three teenagers who are gay will attempt suicide. If you are one of those who criticize our outreach, I ask you to look into your soul and ask whether there isn’t a profound opportunity for service and mission when it comes to those young people. Look at the places where you are broken and afraid and ask yourself why we shouldn’t be doing something to help those young people.”
Just as Father John finished, I heard one heckler at the back of the church stand and begin to shout something angry. But before I could make out what she was saying the whole congregation was on its feet giving Father John a standing ovation. It went on for two minutes, not fading away, but getting stronger. Father John applauded them back.
I was very proud of my daughter for being confirmed. I was inspired by the man who led her in faith and made clear to all present what faith really means, even when it is hard.
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I am a Catholic and believe that Jesus’ message to love your neighbor as yourself…whether your neighbor is gay or straight… black or white… young or old…..is at the heart of my religion. We only have to look at His example to know that He included everyone and was not impressed by wealth or power, as so many people in our society are today. I wish people would stop bashing the Catholic religion, it is run by people and people are not always good…..but Jesus was and His message is kindness toward all. He embraces everyone.
Gay people are a threat to the Catholic Church philosophy, so therefore they must be not accepted? If that really what I am hearing? We can’t accept gay people because they do not fit into our vision of the what is right in the world? And if the world is not as we see it, obviously there must be something wrong with the world – it can’t be us, right? There is a fine line between faith and arrogance, and the Catholic Church continues to cross it on a regular basis. Most of the Catholics I know believe in equality… Read more »
Object truths? *gasp* The horror! Not changing revealed truths because they contradict popular sentiment? The shame! How dare the Catholic Church reject moral relativism?!
Sorry ti be flippant, but this kind of attitude just gets to me.
Hi Tom, I’m a parishioner at St. Cecilia’s and also attended mass at 11 this morning. Firstmost, congratulations to your wife/you for raising such a lovely daughter. I was very impressed with her demeanor and poise. So glad I came across your blog post (via twitter accounts of @RachelCollins and @watermelonshirt) to share that with you. As a “moderate” Catholic, I celebrate inclusion (who are we to judge what sort of ‘sins’ others commit) BUT i’m glad Father Jon made it clear he’s not out to advance any sort of political agenda. I have no problem with the ministry and… Read more »
Thanks Kay. I really appreciate your kind words abut Kerry. She is a special kid and human being. And thank you for your words about Father Unni. Honestly I had no idea about any of this until I showed up at church yesterday…
I think I messed up my blockquote tags somewhere. Perhaps the kind proprietors of this blog will fix that for me. 😉
“However, have elements of dogma not been, historically, changable? If, for example, a Pope were to declare that homosexual acts are no longer sinful – The Pope is infallible in matters of dogma, so if he made such a declaration, what would your response be?” That’s a misunderstanding of infallibility. No pope has the authority to overturn dogma or create new ones. Lesser doctrines may, in limited circumstances, come and go, but that is rare. Dogma is unalterable. Even more recent proclamations of dogma, such as the Immaculate Conception, did not introduce anything new to Christian faith. They merely codified… Read more »
Dude, grow up. The Pope is not God. Let me structure that appropriately – The pope (just a man – doesn’t deserve any capital letters) is NOT God. Now, dig deep into your heart…does the ‘church’ teach what Jesus (God in this context) teaches. Frankly, in most cases, NO Way!!
The argument is that Sacred Tradition is sacrosanct, and changing any one element of it could results in the whole sweater coming undone. That Catholicisms’ entire moral authority rests on this Tradition, passed down directly from Jesus, to Apostles, to the Papacy. Okay. I understand the position, then. However, have elements of dogma not been, historically, changable? If, for example, a Pope were to declare that homosexual acts are no longer sinful – The Pope is infallible in matters of dogma, so if he made such a declaration, what would your response be? I’m certain that many Papal decrees flew… Read more »
A few notes: I’m not sure that the difference between regular doctrine and dogma is being properly recognized in general in this line of blogs. A dogma is something which cannot be reversed. That is not to say that it cannot change. It can change. However, if something is stated dogmatically, the Church is saying that it is irreversibly true. Things like the Catholic belief of the assumption of Mary, the Trinity, and the nature of Christ of dogmatic. However, not all doctrines are dogmatic. A doctrine, while it is not prone to change, can and many have and many… Read more »
I clicked on “reply” for yours because it was the first one I liked, haha. I realize I should have posted it as a reply to all.
“Sexual morality is not dogmatic, nor is the Church’s stand on priestly celibacy, women’s ordination, nor was it on slavery, or war.” Sexual morality IS dogmatic, because it is tied to the sacrament of marriage. Unless I’ve misunderstood the Council of Trent, acceptance of the 7 Sacraments as mediated by the Church is a matter of dogma. Priestly celibacy is a discipline, and does not even reach the level of doctrine. I can change. witness Eastern Catholics who have always had married priests. Women’s ordination IS dogmatic for a similar reason to sexual morality. It is tied to the sacrament… Read more »
Eric, when will you learn that your comments are based on hate and prejudice? Do you know anything about Jesus? Or, do you base your comments on the neo-political structure that is called the Catholic Church?
I use the analogy of threads in a tapestry or garment (a spider web might work, too), because no teaching of the Church stands separate from the others. They are all interconnected and interdependent. Granted, there is a hierarchy of truths, and some things are more permanent that others, but I do not believe it would be possible to radically alter one without profoundly affecting the whole system. Changing teachings with respect to sex and marriage to accept active homosexuality may seem isolated and doable to some, but to borrow a thought from economist Frederic Bastiat, that is only what… Read more »
Eric, this is a theological discussion. You are quoting an economist. How about we discuss flowers and I talk about politics. Same thing, dude. I will pray for you.
To change the Church’s teaching on sexuality would have major ramifications with respect to the Sacred Tradition, the magisterial functions of the Church, the Magisterium’s infallibility in matters of faith and morals, and so on. If you pull on the right thread, you can unravel a sweater, so to speak (Just ask Weezer). Accepting homosexuality as anything but disordered and its acts anything but gravely sinful would require a complete rewrite of Catholic sexual doctrines. It would completely reshape the sacrament of marriage. The Church has basically said, “This is the truth. It has always been the truth. It will… Read more »
Eric, it’s evident to me why you use a picture of a child for your identity. You have not evolved. Seriously, have you read the New Testament? WWJD. I don’t think you have any idea.
“its whole theological and moral tapestry unravels” I don’t understand how the belief that homosexual acts are wrong is a vital underpinning of the theological fabric of Catholicism, and I certainly can’t see how it’s a moral underpinning of Christ’s message, such that it would cause the whole structure to come apart if it were changed. I think that I have a reasonably good understanding of Catholic theology (having been brought up a Catholic and having taken a great interest in understanding religion when I was younger.) And will all things I don’t understand, I ask the same thing –… Read more »
The Church does not judge based on attraction. It judges based on action. What makes humanity different from the rest of creation is its ability to ride above base instinct. The day the Catholic Church begins to teach that homosexual relationships and acts are acceptable is the day its whole theological and moral tapestry unravels. As an atheist, that may be fine for you, Aaron, but as a Catholic I would weep to see the Bride of Christ destroyed like that. Ideas and believes are not wrong simply because they are old. Nor are they necessarily right if they are… Read more »
I applaud Father John for his honestly, his openness and his realization that all things must change and adapt. Gay marriage is legal in this state. And if God really believes that someone is wrong simply for who they choose to love, then that’s just one more reason I’m glad to be a non-believer. Eric, I’ve read your stuff and we’ve talked a bit. But give me a break. You can’t advocate for inclusion and then seek to exclude and judge a whole segment of the population just because of who they’re attracted to. That is the most ridiculous thing… Read more »
The Church has indeed suffered a great deal thanks to a number of men who have brought shame to Christ, His Church, and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The damage is deep and widespread. It’s truly a horror to contemplate. That said, it’s also a red herring. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The Church has not said the heinous acts committed were anything but absolutely wrong. The cover-ups were horrendous and inexcusable, as well. Extensive efforts have been made to make sure that kind of disgusting and shameful behavior is not repeated. If you look at the data, the… Read more »
They don’t treat people who have premarital sex the same way they treat gays. They also don’t excommunicate people who are divorced or commit adultery. Hypocrites, the lot of them.
Actually, Catholics who divorce receive a “latent sentence” of excommunication, which is another way of saying that they excommunicate themselves. Also, homosexual acts are considered graver than heterosexual fornication or adultery because they are not merely outside of the bonds of marriage but also perversions of human sexuality as God intends it to be.
Eric, I will pray for you. You have no concept of spirituality, love or peace. I’m not trying to incite your anger. But, you need to dig deep into your soul and understand what love really means. You also need to understand that your perspective of what God intends may be flawed.
Eric I am not a Catholic. And I am not gay. But I gotta tell you that any religion which has experienced the level of pain and suffering via widespread pedophilia, that was covered up and protected, and then advocates chastity rather than accepting homosexuals as full members of their community is deeply flawed in my view. If you had heard Father John you would have been inspired to think about God’s love in the broadest possible terms.
Inclusion is fine and laudable. Acceptance of homosexual acts as anything but gravely sinful is not. I’m not pleased that this priest ignored direction from his diocese to present the message given to him. He should not be applauded for it, particularly if the content of his speech was substantially opposed to the diocesan message (presumably issued by or on behalf of the bishop). 2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and… Read more »
Inspiring indeed. So glad to see priests of conscience stepping up for an inclusive vision, where all God’s children are welcome.