Rainbow Sash Movement Responds to San Diego Bishop Robert Brom

CHICAGO, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM) had originally been critical of Bishop Brom's decision not to allow John McCusker's family to hold a funeral Mass at any of the parishes that make up the Diocese of San Diego. Our concern was with the lack of compassion in the Bishop's decision, and the apparent attack on John's reputation, his family, friends, and loved ones. We are glad Bishop Brom has taken to heart the wisdom of "Gaudium et spes" paragraph 16 a Vatican II document in judging John's life.

The RSM now stands with Bishop Brom's current pastoral position of apologizing to the McCusker family, which includes John himself, and his life partner. The Bishop must hold firm to the position that sexuality is not the basis of his decision, but compassion is. Dogma should never be used to attack individuals. When Dogma lacks any love or Charity, it becomes a falsehood. We realize there are anti gay elements in the San Diego Community that are trying to use this tragedy to promote their own anti gay agenda, this is morally wrong.

The Rainbow Sash Movement wishes to publicly send our condolences to John's life partner, family, and friends. We also wish to congratulate Bishop Brom on his current decision which is based on Gospel Values, not on bigotry.

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