Cardinal Francis George, the former archbishop of Chicago, died April 17 at his home, after a long battle with cancer. He was 78.
His death was announced by his successor, Archbishop Blase Cupich, in a press conference at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago Tribune reported.
"A man of peace, tenacity and courage has been called home to the Lord," Cupich said. "Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving. This is the surest way to honor his life and celebrate his return to the presence of God."
While loved by many throughout the city, George had a tumultuous relationship with Chicago's LGBT community. He was firmly opposed to marriage equality, and published several articles that took the community to task for what he perceived to be overly aggressive stances in their advocacy. At the same time, he did occasionally meet with activists or LGBT individuals about pertinent issues. In 2014, for example, he met with Colin Colette, a church musical director who was fired from his post, allegedly for announcing his marriage to his same-sex partner. No resolution ever came about from the meeting, however.
Activist Joe Murray, of the Rainbow Sash Movement ( RSM ), said in a statement that, "Our prayers are with the family of Cardinal George at this time, and it is our hope he rests in peace, but Chicago's LGBT community bore the brunt of his war on LGBT people, and I think he will not be missed in that community. George was a human being and as such he had his faults as well as his gifts."
Murray said that George will "most probably be remembered for his war on LGBT rights, and his handling of the clergy sexual abuse."
In 2013, Murray, as well as members of RSM and Gay Liberation Network protested George's appearance at the 25th anniversary of the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach. Murray attended the service, standing with his back to the archbishop through much of it, then went up to take communion, which George refused. George had also denied Murray communion on previous occasions.
Chris Pett, spokesman for the Dignity/Chicago, remembered George as "a decent, respectful and polite man, who said he was interested in dialogue with us, with whom we frequently agreed to disagree."
Pett noted, for example, that George frequently reached out to the late James Bussen, a prominent Dignity/Chicago leader, when Bussen was gravely ill. "He called Jim frequently, to offer him his support," Pett noted.
But Pett said that George would leave behind a "mixed legacy, because of his unwillingness to consider another perspective. He said that he was interested in dialogue, but then would make statements like when he compared the Pride Parade to a KKK rally."
On Christmas Day, 2011, George was discussing the subsequent re-routing of the Pride Parade, and how that would affect church services in Lake View. He told Fox 32, "You know, you don't want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism."
George apologized for the remarks the following month.
Pett said that, for now, the Church will have to do more to bring back and reconcile LGBT members alienated from the church, as well as their family members, many of whom stand by their loved ones.
"Those [stances] have a great impact on a parent," he added. "[George] said he wanted the conversations, but you can't have it both ways, saying that, 'We love you and will provide care for you, but you can't live the truth of your lives.' … We know what the truth of our lives is."
Dignity/Chicago continues to hope for positive change, as Pope Francis has "at least changed the tone" of many dialogues throughout the church, Pett said, adding that the organization will also try to meet with Cupich in the upcoming months.
