Rainbow Sash Movement Prepares for Pentecost

A letter was sent to each Catholic Bishop in the United States advising them that Rainbow Sash Movement will be entering Cathedrals and Parishes on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005.

April 27, 2005

Eminences and Excellencies:

Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2004 is approaching. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Rainbow Sash Movement will be entering Cathedrals and Parishes across the nation on that date. We come as we always have come in prayerful dignity, to enter into one of the most joyous times in the Church, the birthday of the Church. As is our tradition we will be wearing Rainbow Sashes to designate that we are Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender/Straight and Catholic. We come to offer our talents and support in rebuilding the Church.

I am reminded of what Fr. Mychal Judge once said, 'if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans for tomorrow'. For those of you who don’t know Fr. Mychal Judge he was a New York Fire Department Chaplain, Franciscan priest. The Chaplain had been among the first to reach the scene of carnage on 911. Sudden death smashed upon the kneeling priest when, having removed his helmet, he was administering the last rites to a dying fireman. Here was a real religious 'martyr'. He also ministered to the gay community with same blind love. However his ministry to our community had to be in the shadows for fear of reprisals. Authentic ministry must be based in love.

So we come in joy to celebrate the diversity of the Church. There are those who will say because we publicly identify ourselves, we are engaging in a political protest. Please listen to our intent. We come joyfully as part of the people of God to take part in the Sacred Liturgy. We offer you our support in these difficult times. If you cannot see someone, and are therefore blind to their presence, how can you welcome them, as the Catechism instructs?

We continue to call for open dialogue. It is our hope moving forward that you will open your hearts and minds to our faithfulness, and speak with us. We hope this dialogue process can begin prior to your November meeting in Washington DC. The best way to love your neighbor is to get to know them.

Sincerely Yours Christ,
Joe Murray
US Convener
Rainbow Sash Movement

A call for open dialogue to eliminate sodomy as a sin?....Perhaps we can have a vote to determine what is and is not sinful? Will the Catholic Church be as accomodating to sinful behavior as our ECUSA brethern? The answer is clear for who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

We do not have to look too far back to see how this open and public dissent should be handled:

From a post on January 24, Cardinal Arinze denies he approved U.S. Archbishop giving "Rainbow Sashers" Holy Communion. The letter to Barbara Kralis is here.

From a post on January 31, Archbishop Harry Flynn issues perplexing "clarification" statement

From a post on February 16, Cardinal Arinze Ends Debate: No Communion for Pro-Abortion Politicians or Rainbow Sashers

Rainbow Sash wearers, the Cardinal says, are showing their opposition to Church teaching on a major issue of natural law and so disqualify themselves from being given Holy Communion.

Does this means that those who, while wearing the "Rainbow Sash", approach the priest for Holy Communion are to be denied? Fundamentally yes, it seems - that is unless one wishes to engage in linguistic contortions to read something else into it.