Rainbow Sash group denied Communion at St. Paul Cathedral

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Comments: 5

St. Paul, Minn., May 16, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The archbishop of St. Paul refused to have the Eucharist become a sign of protest. As a result, more than 100 people were denied Communion yesterday at St. Paul’s Cathedral during the feast day mass for Pentecost. These churchgoers were wearing rainbow sashes, demonstrating their support for homosexuals and lesbians in the Church. While the Rainbow Sash Alliance has been encouraging supporters to wear the rainbow-colored bands on Pentecost Sunday since 2001, this was the first time that Archbishop Harry Flynn decided to deny them Communion, reported the Associated Press.

Archbishop Flynn told the group earlier this month about his decision, saying that over the years the sashes appeared to have become a protest against Church teaching.

It has never been acceptable "to use the reception of Communion as an act of protest," the archbishop wrote in a letter to Rainbow Sash Alliance organizer Brian McNeill.

According to the press report Fr. Michael Sklucazek made an announcement prior to Communion that anyone wearing a sash could come forward for a blessing but could not receive the Eucharist.

Parishioners reportedly sat or kneeled after receiving Communion, but sash-wearers remained standing with their hands cupped as a symbol that they still wanted the sacrament. Their silent protest lasted about five minutes, until parishioners rose for the final blessing.

Comments: 5

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Deacon Joseph Baptist Pellegrino
Montesano Wa. USA 05/26/2005 11:39 AM EST

Obstinacy in sin is one of the ways we can sin against the Holy Spirit. So those who continue in their sin of pederasty and homosexual rape of pubescent boys are definitely in that category. As are those who sexually abuse young seminarians. As for the rest of we the Church as we allow these men to continue serving Mass and celebrating Sacraments, and we ourselves attend these celebrations, then as Christ says in Math 12 or Isaiah says in 5: 20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil"
When is our Holy Father going to stop these men as well as the sheep that have been led astray by them. It is long over due that we have a good shepherd that our Savior spoke of. We dont need emissary to Eastern Europe we need "The Vicar Of Christ"

Published by: Maryse Usher
Australia 05/16/2005 10:54 PM EST

I am very heartened to read that Archbishop Flynn denied rainbowe sash-wearers Holy Communion on Pentecost Sunday. Anyone who is actively and deliberately in a state of mortal sin commits sacriliege by receiving the Eucharist. I believe the new pontiff must direct bishops to publicly and clearly denounce anti-Catholic stances proclaimed by dissident Catholics.

Published by: Carol Lesnefsky
Hamburg,Pa. USA 05/16/2005 10:16 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Flynn. The Eucharist is not a bargaining chip,it is a sign of unity, not devision. Shame on the protesters.

Published by: Helvi Sundell
Cherry Hill, N.J. USA 05/16/2005 08:09 PM EST

Dear Sir:

!Enhorabuena and Bravo! for the Archbishop Flynn! It is time all Catholics honored the Church teachings - all of them. Praise the Lord for his decision.
Helvi

Published by: Michaelan DeHerrera
Kalispell, Mt., USA 05/16/2005 06:58 PM EST

I was so pleased and proud of the archbishop for defending the sacredness of the eucharist. More priests need to stand up and preach that we must make a choice for God and his commandments. The rainbow sash alliance made their choice.

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