Only in the second edition of his book did he include the entire section of the Catechism on homosexuality, and acknowledge that the Church does not recognize same-sex marriage or sodomy as legitimate expressions of love. It largely ignores the practical, moral implications of living a life in communion with Christ. Rarely does his book, Building a Bridge, mention that God’s love extends into the concrete realities of our daily life through the Body of his Church. The bridge seems not to extend all the way to the real needs of same sex attracted people, nor does it extend to the fullness of God’s love.
Martin’s project of “building a bridge” with the LGBT community. This discrepancy reflects the larger hole in Fr. But if recognizing Christ’s unconditional love for people with SSA were truly the intention of the “United in Love” celebration, then why not actually present them with agape-Christ’s sacrificial love on the cross? Why give them a Mass dressed up with secular buzzwords? They don’t need to waste their time going to church to get that-they can simply go to pre-pride celebrations at Chelsea Piers or in the West Village, which I’m sure will be much more “fabulous” than watching a middle-aged priest sashaying down the aisle to House music (as did last year’s Pre-Pride celebrant). This Mass is intended to remind a group of often marginalized and mistreated people that they are made in the imago Dei.
The parish website advertises the Mass as part of their “United In Love” celebration of “inclusion and prayer.” Even though “identifying as Catholic and gay or lesbian and can sometimes be a challenge,” the website continues, “we accept you #AsYouAre….Decorations will festoon our beautiful church and reflect our signature LGBT+ Ministry colors that have a deep meaning behind them.” Green symbolizes safety, yellow acceptance, blue inclusion, and pink support.īeyond the scandal of a Catholic parish appropriating secular categories for its ministries and liturgical celebrations, the deeper scandal is that such “pride Masses” don’t actually “go all the way” in their response to the needs of people with same sex attraction.