Genoa cathedral defaced; gay activists suspected

Genoa, Apr. 3, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Vandals have defaced the cathedral of Genoa, Italy, in an apparent retaliation after Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco spoke out forcefully against same-sex unions.

The words "Bagnasco shame" were spray-painted across the main entrance to the cathedral of St. Lawrence in Genoa. The words appeared shortly after Archbishop Bagnasco, the president of the Italian bishops' conference, issued a statement opposing the legal recognition of civil unions, and saying that the government's failure to enforce moral norms regarding marriage could open the way to all kinds of perverse relationships.

These kind of lunatic responses to the natural law and morality bring all sorts of things to mind, one of which is Jesus' words in the Beatitudes, in particular, "Happy are those who suffer persecution for justice sake, they shall possess the kingdom of God."

In a talk on the Beatitudes, Fr John Hardon reminded us that these are days of persecution, when the truth will be rejected and those who proclaim the truth will be ridiculed and persecuted...He says:

I cannot tell you how much this Beatitude has meant to me. Sometimes it is the only thing that keeps me sane . . .

We in this generation are being called upon to make history. And the only ones who will make history—meaning those whose names will be remembered—not only in the Book of God, but the annals of men in the Church of the future, are those who in these day have learned to stand up for the Truth. But in doing so, you must expect to be opposed. If you are not persecuted, if you are not opposed, if you are not spoken falsely about, if people don’t say all manner of evil against you for Christ’s sake; suspect today your loyalty to the Master. . .

...let us pray for ourselves that we too, individually and corporately—the Church, our bishops, our priests, religious, and the laity— might have the strength not only to be called faithful, but to be faithful.