By now, unless you live under a rock or gave up all media for Lent, you have heard of the debacle that played out at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York (“America’s parish church”) on February 15 with the obsequies for one Cecilia Gentili. At this moment in the season of introspection and conversion, we can take to heart St. Paul’s admonition, “now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2), to ask just what happened, how it happened, and what lessons can be learned, so as to obviate a repeat performance.
All parties agree that some “relatives and friends” of the deceased approached personnel at the Cathedral to request a Funeral Mass for their dear one. Now, if I had been at the reception desk that day, I can assure you that I would never had heard of “Cecilia Gentili”; the “organizer” of the event admits that she withheld information she thought would not allow the show to go on. On my part, however, I would have entered that name into the search field and discovered–oh my!–that “she” was born a man, was an avowed atheist, and an activist on behalf of every kind of sexual perversion imaginable. We have been told that “she” had reconciled with Christ and His Church in her final days (given the many lies that led up to the day, can we suppose that to be true?).
At any rate, if it is true, that’s wonderful; we Catholics have always rejoiced in deathbed conversions. That said, the response of Cathedral personnel should have been referral to a parish church, where a small, private ceremony could have been held (that’s what is often done for “mobbed up” guys). Of course, we know that such a suggestion would not have been acceptable to the “organizer” because she wanted St. Patrick’s, precisely because it is St. Patrick’s. We also must note that the Cathedral doesn’t host thousands of funerals a year; indeed, there is always a screening or vetting process. Who dropped the ball?
The rector of the Cathedral is Father Enrique Salvo (who also does double-duty at the “old” Cathedral downtown); the director of liturgy is Father Andrew King. Both men are exemplary, solidly orthodox priests. More about both anon.
With the cow out of the barn, we are on the day of the funeral. The first question I ask is, “Where were the ushers and security guards?” Did they not think it their responsibility to guard the sanctity of God’s House, first of all, by monitoring the attire of those entering? Video shows completely unacceptable outfits (some people even with their bottoms exposed). And what about the behavior, even before the body arrived? Had a handful of miscreants been “ushered” out, either everybody else would have fallen into line or they all would have left in solidarity and protest with those who had been “cast into the outer darkness.” Or, were the ushers told to say and do nothing? And, if so, by whom?
The celebrant of the would-be Mass was Father Edward Dougherty, the former superior general of the Maryknoll Fathers, who was invited to join the Cathedral staff upon his retirement. It is clear that, from the beginning, he enjoyed his role as ring-master of the circus, with his comments and demeanor. In short order, Father King can be heard telling the celebrant that it cannot move forward as a Mass; it needs to be cut short as a simple Liturgy of the Word. Thank God for that decision, as we can only imagine what sacrileges could have been leveled against the Blessed Sacrament.
The service was constantly interrupted by blasphemous, vulgar, and profane hoots and hollers. Unhinged individuals pranced through the aisles on several occasions. The eulogies were outrageous and scandalous, with the first one presented by none other than the deceased’s long-time lover, who gushed about sleeping with and waking up with “Cecilia.”
So, what lessons can be learned from this very deplorable (but avoidable) incident?
First, take seriously the adage attributed to Ben Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.” In this context, it means two things: First, practice due diligence. As a pastor, I always knew whom I was being asked to bury. Second, better to endure private wrath for a negative decision than have to offer endless public apologies in the aftermath. It is also worth noting that, as this event demonstrates, it is not possible to placate this kind of crowd, lacking in even basic human sensibilities, let alone a Christian moral compass.
Second, it is high time to eliminate eulogies from church buildings. They are uncontrollable disasters on all too many fronts. God only knows what is going to come out of someone’s mouth (having reviewed a prepared text is no guarantee that it will be followed). Maudlin and saccharine reflections can undo a decent homily (if it was not itself maudlin and saccharine) and the carefully composed liturgical texts given by Mother Church. Further, even the best persons can break down in the moment. Eulogies belong at the funeral home or the gravesite. In point of fact, the rubrics for the Mass of Christian Burial specifically prohibit eulogies.
Third, we need to re-think the nearly automatic offering of a Funeral Mass to all comers. In this post-Christian age of ours (and with civilized behavior noted in the breach more than the observance), any priest will tell you that funerals (and weddings) are the most fraught with possibilities for disaster, distraction, and dismay. On more than one occasion, I have had to stop the progress of the Sacred Liturgy to call for proper decorum, only to be shouted at by the very person causing the disturbance! A service at the funeral home or a committal ceremony at the cemetery can provide the presence of the Church quite adequately (texts part of the Rite of Christian Burial). If Grandma was herself a serious Catholic, schedule a Memorial Mass within a week or a month to commend her soul to the Lord with the offering of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
Fourth, we need to recall that houses of worship are, first of all, houses of God, not our personal living rooms. In “the Church of Nice,” that notion is often belittled. The church edifice exists to give glory to the Triune God, not to make us feel good. “Feel-goodism” didn’t happen for the first time in New York on February 15. Back in 2013, at “Old” St. Pat’s, ex-Legionary priest Thomas Williams had a grand Nuptial Mass; in 2020, another ex-Legionary priest, Jonathan Morris, had an equally magnificent wedding at the current Cathedral–all in violation of the rescripts of laicization, which forbid any such public extravaganzas. Those two events caused a goodly amount of wonderment and scandal as well.
Fifth, how can we not see this scene as intimately tied in to Fiducia Supplicans, giving the green light to all kinds of blessings for all kinds of “irregular” unions? Yet again, was it any surprise that the very next day, the indomitable Jesuit James Martin rhapsodized on the occurrence, musing that this would have been unthinkable even a generation ago? Indeed.1
Sixth, Father Salvo’s post-debacle declaration was spot-on. Particularly welcome were the graphic adjectives he used to describe the event. Likewise, welcome was the notice that a Mass of Reparation had been celebrated to atone for all the blasphemies and sacrileges. Disappointing was the fact that the Mass was not open to the public and offered by the Cardinal himself. It seems to me that the public outrage required a public act of atonement.
Last but not least, the language and behavior of the “congregation” were problematic for two other reasons: Such lunacy is embarrassing to those who suffer sexual disorders in noble silence. Beyond that, it also makes it that much more difficult for serious Catholics to accord to those with “disordered” inclinations that dignity and respect called for in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
In an 1836 sermon, the then-Anglican clergyman, to become St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, could assert, without fear of contradiction:
To believe and not to revere, to worship familiarly and at one’s ease, is an anomaly and a prodigy unknown even to false religions, to say nothing of the true one. Not only the Jewish and Christian religions, which are directly from God, inculcate the spirit of reverence and godly fear, but those other religions which have existed or exist, whether in the East or the South, inculcate the same. Worship, forms of worship — such as bowing the knee, taking off the shoes, keeping silence, a prescribed dress and the like — are considered as necessary for a due approach to God.2
What we witnessed last Thursday would have shocked even the pagan Greeks and Romans of old.
Endnotes:
1Subsequent to the event, Father Martin tweeted: “I had been invited to preach but was out of town.” Why are we not surprised?
2“Reverence in Worship,” P.S. VIII 5 (October 30, 1836).
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Thank you, Fr. Peter. Your sensible perspective as a faithful Catholic priest has made me realize that I’m not insane after all.
With this pope ushering in his all-new ‘Catholique’ church, I can’t help wondering sometimes.
I have good mind to contact St. Patrick’s and request a Mass in the Extraordinary Form for a special intention. I’d be willing to make an offering of whatever amount they ask. I wonder whether I could get said Mass scheduled at St. Patrick’s.
I am more than positive St. Patrick’s “donation” was more than 30 pieces of silver. We know who pocketed that too!
While I don’t wish to quibble with another excellent essay by Fr. Stravinskas, I have no doubt the organizers of this diabolical act had inside help. Would not be surprised if Fr. Dougherty was the inside man while Cardinal Dolan turned a blind eye in the name of mercy and compassion.
Exactly. It definitely seems like something deliberately planned rather than a misunderstanding.
When I first heard this sad “tale” I immediately thought angry thoughts reg. Card. Dolan ! Have since issued public (sm)apology ! I take it back ! He failed yet again in his Christ-given role as “Shepherd of the flock !”
oR MAYBE HE WAS CAUTIOS TO AVOID THE SAME KIND OF OUSTER EXPERIENCED BY BISHOP STRICKLAND
He’s no Bishop Strickland.
That is a darn good point…
“Fourth, we need to recall that houses of worship are, first of all, houses of God, not our personal living rooms. In “the Church of Nice,” that notion is often belittled. The church edifice exists to give glory to the Triune God, not to make us feel good.”
This should be first; if it is first the rest will probably be not needed.
As the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of NY, Cardinal Dolan needs to remove the faculties of the Maryknoll priest who officiated at this most egregiously disgraceful spectacle and insult to the Body of Christ – the Church – or he himself should resign his office. One of the bishop’s munera is that of governing the local church. If Cardinal Dolan can’t exercise his office, let him resign.
Hard to belive that Dolan was not involved in some way. It doesn’t make sense otherwise. He should resign. And his tacit support and protection of James Martin disqualifies him from leadership.
But he’d no doubt be a MAN OF STEEL in saying NO!!!! if anyone requested that the TLM be held at the Cathedral
💯🎯 on both points. Dolan has to give Martin permission to practice in his Archdiocese. Watch all the clown gay show come out for the St Pats Day parade. He was the one who gave permission for them to bring disgusting antics to the parade.
Mary knoll sadly went off the rails back in the ‘70’s (if memory serves) ! I know I stopped donating.
Yes, I totally agree. I stopped donating to them also. I wrote to them why and told them to take me off their mailing list. I’m not surprised this priest associated with them. That explains everything!
James Martin SJ has acknowledged that he was invited to preach at this debacle should have raised a flag. Obviously this was intended to be an event same-sex “celebration.” Did he inform St. Patrick’s?
I continue to be amazed at how funeral liturgies are turned into events to praise the deceased. All should be focused exclusively on the worship of the Most Holy Trinity and thanksgiving for the action of Christ in our lives and in our eternity.
As a commenter on this mornings news highlighted: The ethos created by the current pontificate surrounding same-sex issues predicated this sacrilege.
Precisely….
Vintage Father Peter Stravinskas: Everything was going well until….
There’s always something. This time, once again, Pope Francis is to blame. He’s to blame for the decrease in vocations, and now he is to blame (Fiducia) for the St. Patrick’s debacle.
I’m sure he’s to blame for Biden’s election victory and Trump’s defeat, with all his emphasis on climate change and his comment about the importance of not building walls. And I’m quite sure if we look hard enough, we can discover how he’s responsible for the housing crisis.
Cardinal Dolan should be aware of aware of events at St Patrick’s Cathedral and revoke any events that desecrate the Church
Had to reread this, just to be sure that Biden was mentioned in the article, not just thrown in to trash Fr. Stravinkas. Could not find it, so it must be just another attack by a pro_LGBTQ advocate.
Do you take responsibility for your false witness? Why not address the many damaging realities that Francis is responsible for honestly? When a pope disparages numerous Catholic practices and orthodox teachings as museum pieces for the mentally ill, when he undermines the Catholic moral witness with continuous strawman arguments that misrepresent their moral content, maybe he, and everyone who refuses to be concerned, have had an effect on undermining Catholic teaching with far reaching repercussions.
Be careful, Thomas James, because your cheap attempt at sarcasm is coming very close to reflecting the actual truth about the person you’re purporting to defend.
Can’t decide whether you are being sarcastic or voicing your real opinion on the matter. Which is which, sir?
Oh please! Sarcastic, of course.
Terrible event!!! Let it go the more we talk about it the more attention it gets. Just do not let it happen again.
Letting it go isn’t the appropriate response. The hierarchy needs to be exposed and held to account. They’re hoping to just ride out the storm until it passes. We have a responsibility to not allow them to forget. Something like this must not happen again.
I too am shocked by the blasphemy at a great center of our faith. I am also appalled at the negligence of cathedral officials in permitting this to go forward. The celebrant of the Mass should be sent back to his retirement nest at Maryknoll.
Why is the Church so easily intimidated by the LGBTs? Why do we give blessings to people who reject the teachings of the Church so openly and blatantly. Fiducia is responsible for this.
I have the image of Christ driving out the money changers in the temple with whips, not accommodating their abuse of His Father’s house. Perhaps the officials at St. Pat’s should take a refresher course in Scripture.
Fr. James Martin praises trans activists as being as much a part of the church as anyone else. I don’t see how this can be. They do not accept the teaching of the Church. The blasphemous crowd at St. Patrick’s is the company he keeps. He is their supporter and their champion. What is this man doing in the Catholic priesthood?
I agree with Fr. Stravinskas that there should be no eulogies at funeral Masses. The prayers and Scriptural passages are far more comforting and beautiful than any eulogy I have ever heard. Nothing can surpass the Scriptural account of the raising of Lazarus.
As Christians the best we can do for our beloved departed is pray for them. Eulogies are useless and distracting.
I have a thought, probably an unkind one. Huge donation maybe?
There needs to be a credible, detailed explanation from the Cathedral persuasively establishing that its staff, including clerics, were deceived by, rather than connived in, so disgusting and so public a sacrilege. As this good and polite discussion implies between the lines, on the current public record, connivance rather than deception is much more plausible. If there is no such explanation, staff should be disciplined or dismissed. And if there is such an explanation, the relevant Cathedral staff would then be confirmed as utter fools rather than knaves.
I am absolutely astonished that this situation was allowed to happen! As a woman of 76 years and a Catholic this was blasphemy. I am ashamed and will pray to God for forgiveness. Cardinal Dolan needs to make step in and make sure nothing like this ever happens again in front of the Holy Eucharist. Shame, shame!
How awful! However I disagree about stopping funeral Masses, as this is the opportunity for non-Cathiolic friends and relatives to attend a Mass and “come and see Jesus” for themselves-He will woo them while they are there. Also I disagree about discontinuing eulogies as long as they are done after the Mass is finished but people are still in the church. My husband of 41 years died of COVID before the vaccines, and his funeral was held at our parish. We were both converts to Catholicism so many of the relative and friends who attended were not Catholic-the Mass was a witness to them of our faith. As for the eulogy, it was given after the Mass but while people were still sitting in the nave, by our daughter, a concert to Catholicism and also a professional stage manager (with Broadway credits). It was absolutely beautiful and unlike many who attempt to give a eulogy and break down after the .first sentence, our daughter did not not break down until the last sentence. Our priest said that it was the best eulogy he had ever heard and many people who were at the funeral said the same thing . Our other daughter and her husband ended up converting to Catholicism shortly after the funeral (RCIA) and are now RCIA sponsors and also have a son who is baptized Catholic. A good eulogy can be a powerful witness! I would suggest that a eulogy should be reviewed by the priest before it is given and the presenter of the eulogy should be given guidelines of the decorum of the Church and told that the eulogy will be halted if there is irreverence in words or actions. But keep the option for post-Mass eulogies open . Keep in mind that in many areas of the U.S., a graveside eulogy during the winter months is pretty much impossible, especially when older relatives cannot attend due to mobility issues or other health limitations.
No to eulogies. The church is not the place for it. No, it is not a big driver to make people Catholic. You can do such things at any place other than the church. You are simply excusing the eulogy because your daughter did it. In my own family, we have a show hound who insists on writing a eulogy and delivering it at every funeral that takes place in the family. The priests are usually too intimidated to turn her down. The rest of us just sort of shake our heads and say to ourselves “here she goes again”.
Eulogies have no place in a church and is yet again the false mulse of everyone goes to heaven!
With all due respect, the place for a eulogy is during the luncheon at the restaurant AFTER the mass. Family and friends can pass the mic between courses. It is not appropriate in the sanctuary in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It would be very important thing to teach non-Catholics and poorly catechized Catholics– that the utmost respect must be shown for our Lord in the tabernacle. And a Catholic church is not the place for a performance. There are too many x factors involved and potential for scandal in lay people giving eulogies. There are concerns about lack of reverence, even by the most well-intentioned family.
Thank you father. Many things to be learned. A Church funeral is a privilege not an entitlement. It is a rite, not a show. It is vertical not linear. I think that eulogies are inappropriate in a mass and have instructed my relatives that I don’t want any at my funeral mass.
An inside job? or a fat donation to the cathedral? Who knows?
It is hard to believe that officials at a great cathedral in the
media/financial capital of U.S. could be so naive (dare I say
stupid?)
I must admit, knowing Dougherty’s Maryknoll connection, that I am not surprised: the Maryknollers have long competed with the Jesuits for “Order with the Most Whacked Out Theology of the Year” Award.
I was going to post the same perception. It is hard to imagine but it is clear they are further over the cliff than the Society of Judas.
What specific actions can the faithful take here to hold the powers that be accountable for this? How can we hold their feet to the fire and communicate in no uncertain terms that this sacrilege is absolutely unacceptable?
LifeSite News has a petition:
Nearly 10,000 urge Cardinal Dolan to exorcise St. Patrick’s Cathedral after sacrilegious ‘trans’ funeral
Before or after he receives the rite?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
The above article and comments seem to have forgotten one of Christ’s most beloved teachings. I respect and honor the Pope’s efforts to be more inclusive rather than continuing the long history of judgement and exclusivity that the Church has practiced. I’m saddened to see how St. Patrick’s has responded to this outpouring of love for one of Christ’s children.
Curious how the “respect” must only flow in direction. What about respect for God? For a sacred place of worship? For the liturgy? What about basic decorum?
“I respect and honor the Pope’s efforts to be more inclusive rather than continuing the long history of judgement and exclusivity that the Church has practiced.”
“Inclusion”, in a truly Catholic context, means adhering to certain standards, practices, etc. As someone once wrote:
Sorry, this is the sappy mush the homosexual community relies on every time. And look what happens – they took advantage of it to DESECRATE a holy place. They acted like animals and like they were drunk or insane. I watched the entire video. There were people in the crowd dressed up as “Naughty French Maids”. One lady appeared to be topless. They believed they had come to a political protest with their fists raised and demonic cries of “Cecilia! Cecilia!’ as if they were ready to break out into violence at anyt time. The descecration and blasphemy was off the charts. They had no intention of respecting ANYTHING – especiall the Catholic faith and Jesus Christ. They lied to get in – this person was an atheist. They chose St Patricks because they wanted the most elaborate venue for their demonic chantings and celebration of sin.
You’ll never post my comments. I believe opening the church to the 1,000 friends and family of Cecilia Gentili is EXACTLY what God would want. I was born and raised catholic. Your institution is a closed club. You CLAIM to be open, but you most certainly are NOT. The responses here make me sick. I watched the service. Yes, there were some colorfully dressed people. Yes, there was some chanting of Cecilia’s name. But I saw nothing that desecrated your space or was blasphemous. On the contrary, the creator of all would have rejoiced at seeing diversity and welcoming in his church. But, WOW, the catholic church has it’s sheep following in a TIGHT LINE. You don’t believe in and live by our teachings – you’re going to hell. Like I said, you’re a closed club with your own set of rules. You are CERTAINLY not followers of the teachings of Jesus.
Well done, This is the best comment I’ve read on this disgraceful event. These people have their own agenda.
No respect for themselves, no respect for others, no respect for Saint Patrick’s. It was like a vision of Hell.
The Celebrant Priest was the fall guy, he was not to blame, the poor man was overwhelmed. Silly blaming the Pope, Jesus condemned no Man , Our Lord condemned the Sin.
I’m sure the Cathedral Staff will have learned a lesson, The responsibility lies with those who hoodwinked the Authorities. Pray for the culprits, they are the Sinners on this sad dreadful occasion .Pray for ourselves.
Eyes wide open to the true purpose and meaning of the event and its instigators, Samton. Their action had the same character as the vinegar on the raised sponge, the dice game over the discarded cloak, the derisive placard over Our Lord’s head. And when all the blather of self-justification and excuse-making is said and done there’s plenty of blame to go around.
If that crowd showed up properly dressed and respectful and silent then nobody would care. But they dinnae. They behaved like a bunch of animals. They should be treated as such which a rap to the nose with a rolled up newspaper (metaphorically speaking of course…kind of).
B Spears wanted her last marriage to be in the Catholic church; they had to tell her how that might happen – not everyone qualifies because they desire to be qualified.
Susan, have you not only forgotten but completely ignored the Christian principle of not using unthinking cliche words as a bludgeon of dishonest actual sanctimony to condemn non-existent sanctimony? Do you consider the irony of judging someone of judmentalism? I’m guessing not. Because it is propositionally self-contradictory. What exactly is wrong with judging wrong behavior as being wrong behavior even while not excluding those who practice wrong behavior from the gift of repentance unlike those who invoke “inclusivity” yet exclude those who extend the gift of real inclusive sacramental forgiveness from being recognized as Christian?
The old battle cry: “Inclusion.” The Church does not exclude sinners; take a look around. What your wanting is ‘participation.’ Sorry but I don’t want to participate in more sin… I have enough trouble keeping myself out of it.
I noticed a co-worker’s bumper sticker “Love Everyone, no exceptions.” I went to the office and asked what she thought of Trump. She said, “I hate that man.” Let’s see how this fits, Susan, a MAGA Mass. Yeah, I thought so.
The sacrilege was despicable and I’m pleased that there was not more defense of it, highlighting the perpetual farce of James Martin. But do I understand correctly that Fr. Stravinskas is suggesting that some/many Catholics should be denied a Mass of Christian Burial and be satisfied with a memorial Mass down the road?
The presiding priest, once head of Maryknoll, shows why no one should donate to that infiltrated, once glorious institute. He needs to be removed quickly and sent to a nursing home to offer daily Mass for the residents.
I used to subscribe to the Maryknoll magazine but it went off the rails way back in the 1970’s.
yup my dad got it for years then
I used to stop by what used to be the Maryknoll Seminary in Ossining NY late at night when returning from upstate NY to my home on Long Island. The graveyard of Martyrs was a wonderful place to meditate and pray in the solitude of darkness. I always had a sense sadness conveyed by missionaries persecuted by communists from their perch in eternity knowing so many Maryknoller’s now support such ideology.
It’s so sad. The Maryknoll fathers used to be some pretty heroic missionaries.
They’re still missionaries – only the current mission is to de-program the sort of backwardist Catholics who read and post comments at CWR.
Eulogies can be presented before the funeral Mass, or after, as Mrs. Whitlock observes. I agree with her suggestion that there should be guidelines. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I am under the impression that the purpose of the funeral Mass is to pray for the deceased. As a choir member, I have heard too many eulogies and sermons that suggest or outright state that the deceased person has gone straight to canonization. Yes, the funeral Mass is an opportune moment to reach those only momentarily in the pews, often, in my observation, the children and grandchildren of the deceased.
The Pride are proud. Pride goeth before the fall.
I sang in a funeral choir for decades, so obviously I have witnessed many “eulogies.” Oh, the things I have seen and heard. Even though my diocese had guidelines for these funeral eulogies, they were rarely heeded. The guidelines asked that the speaker focus on the spiritual life of the deceased. Alas, there were disasters, and too often the detailed personal sharing of the secular life of the deceased overrode the message of the homily, as well as the sacredness of the Holy Mass. We did not want to hear the deceased was the hero of drinking bouts or enjoyed the many trips to the casino. And, it is not proper to pull out a mickey, open it, and clink/toast it against the casket, spilling booze all over the pall.
Many dioceses have wisely prohibited eulogies. As Father mentioned, the intense emotion of funerals should indicate that the sharing of memories be left out of the Mass and kept to the funeral home or gravesite. The sanctuary is holy ground. The Mass is sacred. This should never be forgotten.
A funeral mass with lots of incense and bells tolling then pealing are better than a eulogy, which might contain lies anyway
Thank you, Father, for yet another stellar, succinct, and trustworthy essay.
I, too, am saddened that the Cardinal did not personally and publicly offer reparation to Our Lord. But still more, knowing a little bit “how things work” in a diocese and such, I too find it hard to believe that this event was not known about ahead of time, if not by the Cardinal himself, then by those whom he trusts and knows.
It is hard to…know how to assess such a situation. One is left to wonder if the Cardinal (and the majority of other bishops in the west) is in actual fact a “practical atheist.”
Vatican II in Sacrosanctum Concilium taught that everyone in the Church needs to participate more deeply in The Mass, and that thus everyone in the Church needs more (far more) deeper education in It and about It. What it did not say was that those responsible for said education were (and, God help us, still are) in need of it as well.
Cardinal Dolan is representative of the entire non-credible western episcopacy. They will permit virtually anything under the sun with respect to Divine Worship with the exception of anything smacking of orthodoxy, Tradition, and an authentic focus on God.
Sadly, it is ever more obvious that we are led by eunuchs, not for Our Lord and His Kingdom, but eunuchs for the world, effeminate in thought, word and deed. Non-credible, and bearing little if any fruit themselves.
I agree that the Cardinal should resign, but he is there as one who is “politically acceptable” and one who will not complicate matters for other “princes” by the whole “God thing.” Who would he be replaced with? Another politically acceptable hireling.
Again, the sad truth that the laity must face is that the majority of our bishops are either a) practical atheists, or b) ignorant of The Faith that they are bound to hold, profess, teach and die for — The Mass and other parts of the liturgy of the Church are Its Sum and Summary, and they trod It – and Him – underfoot every day, it seems.
A good quote, from (Saint) Fulton J Sheen, seems appropriate to close with, friends:
“He [Satan] will set up a counter-Church which will be the ape of the Church because, he the devil, is the ape of God. It will have all the notes and characteristics of the Church, but in reverse and emptied of its divine content. It will be a mystical body of the anti-Christ that will in all externals resemble the mystical body of Christ. In desperate need for God, whom he nevertheless refuses to adore, modern man in his loneliness and frustration will hunger more and more for membership in a community that will give him enlargement of purpose, but at the cost of losing himself in some vague collectivity.”
“Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops.”
great quote
Consider the gay bath-houses, trans gay bars and entertainment venues. Would these types of venues include, accommodate, or welcome a Rosary-bearing, hymn singing, prayer chanting Catholic crowd (processed with Catholics in clerical garb)? The welcome and the blessing Catholics would receive at such venues would likely be the door out, sirens wailing, arrests, FBI investigations and indictments for inciting hate-crime.
Has there been any public pronouncement from His Excellency Timothy? No???? Why is that, do you’ll think? Is it cowardly complicity, threats by powers in Rome and DC, or has he been too busy at his breakfast bar during this ‘celebratory-penitential’ season of Lent?
His Eminence, not His Excellency.
(My comment lifted from the thread on an earlier article)
We read: “’At [Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s] directive, we have offered an appropriate Mass of Reparation,’ Salvo said. [AND] Several mainstream media outlets had framed the event as a breakthrough occasion and a sign of the Catholic Church shifting its teaching — or at least its tone — on sexuality and human anthropology.”
Reparation after the fact? What about foresight and guardianship?
Yours truly recalls a high cleric from New York who confided (on EWTN) about endorsing Obama Care only to find six months later that the conscientious objection clause had been deleted. “They lied to me,” he said. Of course!!! Why is it that pious clerics are the last to notice in advance the web of mendacity in a fallen world?
Happily, about “tone,” we now see what we need from continental Africa and and many other points of surviving coherence across the globe, but from the inner circle what do we still get: a “tone” that is out of tune, a “blessing” that is not a blessing, a “couple” that is not a couple, a doctrinally “universal Church” that in practice is not universal, and likely endorsement from a “synod” that is not a synod…
Instead, this: “When Jesus sent His disciples out into the world which was full of the ambushes of evil, He told them, ‘Be ye therefore, wise as serpents and simple as doves’ (Mt 10:16). By mentioning the two virtues, prudence and simplicity, together, He clearly shows that they must never be separated from one another, nor should one be used as a pretext for failing in the other” (Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD, “Divine Intimacy,” 1964/1996).
Given the insidiousness of evil and even infiltration into the Church, needed training for bishops might well include a seminar on Mt. 10:16 and counterinsurgency.
Peter Beaulieu asks why pious clerics don’t notice mendacity. Aquinas has said that sin darkens the intellect. The intellect is that faculty which advances or clouds knowledge and grace and virtue. The clerics who don’t recognize mendacity are not pious.
Same for that cleric who didn’t understand the lies of ‘Obamacare.’ St. Paul said that all should work for their food. Presumably, prudence would say that one should work for all the goods of nature (and those of supernature). But prudence is a virtue, far too little in evidence.
Every day we see the blindness of our leaders, the foolishness of many clerics, and the stupidity of occupants near the papal office. A seminar? No, son. Penance, conversion, miracles, and chastisements are needed to break through the dense heads bent and made stubborn in obstinate sin.
And attempts at these sacrilegious events will become commonplace with the
“spontaneous” blessings provided by FS, most likely conceived to honor the December 17th birthday of Francis with a supreme gift for his dictatorial control of his new religion. Many “messes” now to follow.
Thank you Thomas James your point is well made. I will add another example. Since Pope Francis was around back in 1963 he must surely have been the guy on the grassy knoll in Dallas. Conspirators get around you know. Bjorn370 on the discussion about the pope’s guidance on adherence to the proper form for sacraments said that he was withdrawing because conspiracy mindsets are overwhelming this site. He has a point. I did a search on “protests” and desecrations involving Saint Patricks Cathedral and an avalanche of cases resulted . The place has been under virtual siege for nearly half a century. Back in 1989 there was the “Stop the Church” protest. The name meant just what it sounds like. Events started not with a funeral but with an ordinary mass. After communion some recipients spit out the host!! . That may have been a signal for protest started outside. I have a recollection from that time of a photo of a shocked cardinal O’Connor slumping in his episcpal chair with his hand over his face. There has been much filthy graphiti and anti life protesting since. Have you considered that the priest at this so called funeral may have been in fear for his life ?!
I do not know if this article is describing the “Stop the Church” protest, but even if it does not, it sheds some light on how things were in 1989 in New York.
From the New York Times story titled 111 Held in St. Patrick’s AIDS Protest
By Jason Deparle
Dec. 11, 1989
Excerpt:
The police said 111 people were arrested, including 43 inside the church. Many of the protesters were carried out on stretchers after refusing to stand up. Dozens of protesters blocked traffic on Fifth Avenue by lying in the street. One of them, Annie Hirsch, who said she was 12, leaned from a police bus and said, ”I’m here to tell people that women aren’t going to take it any more.”
Cardinal O’Connor, who has frequently called homosexual acts a sin and has opposed the use of condoms, counseling abstinence instead, told the parishioners during the service, ”Never respond to hatred.” He led them in prayer that drowned out the protesters’ cries and gave out a written homily in place of the regular sermon.
Are you referring to the satanic display during which the demonstators were engaged in sex inside St. Patrick’s? It highlights the differences between Cardinal O’Connor and ole Timmy boy.
I do not know any more about the December 1989 incident than what was in the story, but I strongly suspect that Cardinal O’Connor would have made a better response to sacrilege in the cathedral.
Why was the mass of reparations held in secret? Are they ashamed? Are they afraid the homosexual people in NYC will be angry at them? FIRST, the cathedral must be re-consecrated. A secret mass held furtively so no one can find out is hardly enough. SECOND a PROPER mass of reparations must be held, it must be public, and all catholics must have an opportunity to attend that mass and join shoulders to oppose the continual desecration of our holy places. Cardinal Dolan MUST say the mass himself, beg forgiveness for his dereliction of duty, and he should be attired in sackcloth and ashes. When will Catholics finally stand up and reject the Satanization of our churches?
I thought that I would never have heard such language at a funeral Mass! This just shows that the alphabet soup morons will miss use us in order to facilitate their satanic ideology. Dolan should resign and the priest severely disciplined. That he let this continue and did nothing is a dereliction of duty!!! We saw our enemy in their true colours at this travesty of ritual. There should be no compromise until all bow to Christ.
I’m not Catholic, but I came to this site to read the reactions. I’m truly disturbed for you that this awful thing happened in your church. The funeral was not the issue, a church welcomes all sinners. The issue was the disgusting, sick behavior of the people in the congregation who deliberately mocked your church. I am heartsick for you. See if they dare to try this in a mosque! This only proves how truly tolerant Christians are. These absurd people claim they support free speech and that “actions have consequences” but when people return their speech with criticism, they claim any criticism is bigotry. It is not. They behaved in an abominable manner on holy ground. They are the true bigots. They deserve every criticism they get. I’m so sorry this happened in your church and support you 100%.
I don’t condone what happened. What bothers me is allowing people to badmouth the Pope. Public writing, being allowed to do so, in my opinion, makes a bad mark on the Church.
The pontiff has free will
Quite on the contrary. What makes a “bad mark on the Church” are hierarchs, including the Pope, who are intent on rending the fabric of Christ’s Holy Church.
Andy;
Re. your 2/19 @4:22 – Your phrase “Badmouthing the Pope.”
There was a time – not long ago, when respect for the Papacy was virtually world-wide. Sadly in my opinion that time has passed.
It has been 5 days since the abomination at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and – to the best of my knowledge – the Pope has said NOTHING about it.
In addition – just one more reason – he is trying to abolish the Latin Mass, which the Church has celebrated for close to 2,000 years.
The list goes on and on.
A lot of us object very strongly to things he HAS done, and at things he has NOT done, which we feel have harmed the Church.
Father Stravinskas said it all and said it well.
I’m a funeral director in the Archdiocese of New York and none of the parishes in our area allow eulogies, for all the reasons cited above. Priest review of the text was meaningless, speakers didn’t speak of the life of faith, but of everything else- including the use of vulgar language, and they rarely respected the time limit they were given. It’s not meant to be in the mass, and the Pastors finally put their collective feet down. I honestly thought this had come from the Archdiocese, but I guess I was wrong.
It is implausible that the Cathedral did not know the identity of said person. There is a vetting process. Not just everyone who wants a wedding, baptism, funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral can get one. Speaking from personal experience. Continue to contact the Archdiocese and keep up the pressure. There needs to be a statement from the Cardinal and a public Mass of reparation/reconsecration of the Cathedral.
Timothy.Dolan@archny.org
Edmund.Whalen@archny.org
Enrique.Salvo@archny.org
Joseph.Zwilling@archny.org
Thanks for this info. I hope everyone sends messages.
It was shameful. As was the funeral of Berlusconi.
Unfortunately, this is contemporary populist and indifferentist catholicism, small c is deliberate, in all its dragged-up tawdriness.
Niceness, what a flaccid and mischievously sentimental word.
Good day………(indicate preferred pronouns) and welcome to the Church of ………. (Indicate preferred deviance).
Where’s the Grand Inquistor?
Genesis 19:26. Think of it as a metaphor. If this person is sincere then like St. Augustine it will not matter when he came to the faith. But a lifetime of hedonism and enjoyment of sin will make it almost impossible for the insincere not to look back in purgatory, and a pillar of salt cannot enter heaven but will stay in limbo for eternity. The will to be with Jesus has to be all encompassing to make it to heaven.
For those interested, America Needs Fatima is sponsoring a rosary rally of reparation for this horrible event. It will be at noon on Saturday, February 24, and Monday, February 26, on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st streets. Let our voices be heard through a peaceful rally. Come and join us.
This is a very good article that shows there is much more to this than you all seem to realize. You jump to conclusions. It was obvious to me that they were misled, information was kept under wraps, and there was no Mass, etc. Need to get all the information before you write about this:
https://catholicreview.org/cardinal-dolan-i-think-our-cathedral-acted-extraordinarily-well/
What in my article was inaccurate?
Thomas James, thank you very much once again for posting this link !! So the guy from GLITS who asked for the service admits that he withheld the truth about the deceased from the priest. That puts things in a very different light. This character now wants an apology from the cardinal for the priest not offering a mass! They wanted to get their hands on consecrated hosts! Think all you people how demanded a public mass of reparation. Think about who would have showed up, perhaps in normal clothes this time,eager to have another crack at a far worse desecration.Think!,think!,think!.
Yes! I saw a video of the person who asked for the funeral now bewailing that a full Mass was not celebrated. Person is now calling for the diocese to do what it promised and have a Mass said. If this is done, I fear for desecration of the Blessed Sacrament. God have mercy on us.
Yes, I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding 🙄
I think the best and needed response at this point is Phil Lawler’s in Catholic Culture, Feb. 20.
Light years away?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6AOvStZS64
The «song» not the «singer».
What does this have to do with this story?
Get woke, go broke. As for whodunit, I prefer to wait for the facts.
This is truely appaling. First, it is illegal to interrupt a religious ceremony which is what these people did. They didn’t craft the funeral service, it was intended to be a Catholic one. The people that arranged it should be charged accordingly to set precedent that ANY RELIGIOUS sermony is not to be interrupted or mocked. Second,you can’t even visit a church in Europe without showing respect for the place. When people walk into the church in garb that is so disgraceful, the Priest had every right to ask ushers or others to ask them to leavee. You would be asked to leave in other churches. All that in hindsight, NOW the Church needs to send a message that She will not accept such blashemphy nor be used like this. There are hundreds of thousands of Catholics struggling everyday to try to live to requirements, and we get “chided” all the time about “leaving early” and not holding hands and “using envelopes” and “should we raise our hands or not” and all of the silly little things yet this big stake in our eye goes with little comment? We are tired of being kicked around. This isn’t about a trans person who deserves dignity. This person was a professed athiest and activist who wanted to strip the dignity of the church away. The Devil entered St Patricks. Maybe an exorism is in order.
Imagine if it was Padre Pio at this event. Their ears would still be ringing after he unceremoniously threw out the whole lot.
If proper preparations had been made by the clergy of St Patrick’s, this would never have happened. Did the clergy have a preliminary face to face encounter with the organisers of the funeral? This is surely the normal thing to do. Or was it merely a telephone/internet conversation? A personal interview surely is the occasion to discuss the arrangements – readings, prayers, form of the liturgy, eulogies etc. – and to provide the necessary pastoral care. If this had been done, the clergy would have discovered the real motivation behind the fiasco which ensued, and could have prevented it from happening by suggesting another more appropriate venue. It seems the clergy failed in their priestly duty from the beginning. Cardinal Dolan’s excuses are hollow and misleading.