Karl Keating Provides Background re: Bishop Brom & Funeral

In Today's E-Letter:

THE BACKGROUND

Before I explain what is behind the vitriol of the editorial, let me explain the facts of the case.

John McCusker, 31, died while vacationing with his male "partner" in the mountain resort community of Mammoth, California. He owned at least two bars in San Diego, one that catered to heterosexuals on Fridays and to homosexuals on Saturdays and another bar that had an exclusively gay clientele. A porn video had been filmed at the first club, and the second club advertised "gay porn stars."

McCusker was someone of note in the "gay community." He served on the boards of several gay organizations and was active in a get-out-the-vote campaign targeted at young homosexuals. Although he had attended the University of San Diego, a nominally Catholic school, nothing in the local reportage indicates that he was a Mass-going Catholic.

In an official statement, the chancellor of the Diocese of San Diego, Rodrigo Valdivia, said that, "in order to avoid public scandal, John McCusker was denied a funeral in a Catholic church or chapel in the Diocese of San Diego because of his business activities, which were contrary to Sacred Scripture and the moral teaching of the Church. The Bishop acted as he did so that the faithful would not be misled and erroneously conclude that the Church condones activities such as those included in the businesses of Mr. McCusker."

Valdivia ended by saying, "It is a mistake to interpret this pastoral action as a condemnation of Mr. McCusker. He should be in our prayers for the blessing of eternal life."

McCusker's funeral was held in an Episcopal church after McCusker's family phoned San Diego City Councilwoman Toni Atkins, a prominent lesbian, who suggested St. Paul's Cathedral.

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