Letter to the Editor:
This letter is in response to Cardinal Francis George's visit to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel June 16 for the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach (AGLO) 25th anniversary.
I will be marching with the Gay Liberation Network in the Pride Parade because of its long-standing commitment to social-justice issues. I would like to invite other LGBT Catholics, couples with their families and our allies to join me in giving visible support to an organization who understands what faithfulness and commitment is all about when it comes to the issue of human rights. Since there will be no Catholic parishes present in the parade my choices were limited.
Yes, I would even like to invite those who attend AGLO to join me. While I understand the board of directors could not stand with me in both being denied Communion and turning its back to the cardinal during his sermon, perhaps the members can muster up the courage to march in the Pride Parade with me.
The young woman who brought me Communion showed those members of the AGLO board and clergy what courage and faith are all about despite the cardinal's instructions to his priests to deny me Communion. I wish to thank her publicly for responding with hope, charity, faith and compassion. She was a priest to me in my time of need. Her name is Brenna C. Cronin.
I also wish to thank the other women who showed their courage in publicly supporting my efforts. These are all examples of profiles in courage, and they honor both their faith and Church by their presence.
I will be returning to the AGLO Mass after the parade to reclaim the dignity of our faith that was taken by those who support and promoted George's brand of homophobia in Church. Bigotry only grows in the church because good people choose to remain silent.
We are all frail human beings, and make mistakes. It is time for the AGLO board to issue a public apology for its betrayal of the LGBT community in siding with the cardinal on the issues of gay marriage and homophobia in the Church.
Joe Murray
Chicago