Parish reprimanded, pulls Gay Pride material from Web site

Minneapolis, Minn., Oct 28, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish said he would comply with an order from the Vatican to remove Gay Pride material from the church Web site.

Fr. George Wertin said he would also stop allowing non-ordained guests to give the homily, which was the subject of a meeting two weeks ago with Auxiliary Bishops Frederick Campbell and Richard Pates. Bishop Campbell was appointed bishop of Columbus, Ohio, last week.

The parish has a long history of supporting the homosexual community, including parish participation in Gay Pride events, reported the Star Tribune.

In an Oct. 27 follow-up statement, Archbishop Harry Flynn of Minneapolis said the order originated with the Holy See.

The statement said the archdiocese "welcomes gay and lesbian worshippers who are in full communion with the moral teachings of the Church as they apply to all Catholics. It does not, however, endorse the promotion of sexual relations among unmarried persons."