Gay group will march in NY St. Patrick's day parade; Cardinal Dolan gives OK
September 03, 2014
A homosexual activist group will march in New York’s St. Patrick’s Day parade next year, with the tacit approval of Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Organizers of the parade announced on September 3 that Out@NBCUniversal-- described as a “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual support group”— will march under its own banner. In the past, the parade organizers refused to allow gay-rights groups to carry signs.
The parade had been under heavy pressure to admit homosexual groups. Mayor Bill de Blasio had refused to participate in the annual march, and NBC, the television network that broadcasts the parade, had also pressed for a policy change. Out@NBCUniversal, the group selected by organizers for inclusion, is composed of NBC employees.
Cardinal Dolan, in a statement responding to the organizers’ decision, noted that the archdiocese was not responsible for decisions about which groups were included in the parade. However, he said, “The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee continues to have my confidence and support.”
“As I do each year, I look forward to celebrating Mass in honor of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, and the Patron Saint of this archdiocese, to begin the feast, and pray that the parade would continue to be a source of unity for all of us,” the cardinal said.
Cardinal Dolan has been named as grand marshal for the 2015 parade.
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Further information:
- Gay group to march in NYC St. Patrick’s Day parade (AP)
- New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade Lifts Ban on Gay Groups (New York Times)
- Gay groups in St. Patrick’s parade OKed by N.Y. Cardinal Dolan (RNS)
- Cardinal Dolan Statement on St. Patrick's Day Parade 2015 (New York archdiocese)
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Posted by: Bernadette -
Sep. 04, 2014 5:20 PM ET USA
Would it help to complain to the Vatican? Probably not. Complaints about our shepherds' bad leadership seem to fall upon deaf ears. We must pray them out. And, while we're at it, pray for their immortal souls. Also, be courageous and continue to speak out against immorality....same-sex so-called "marriage," abortion, contraception, co-habitation, sterilization, euthanasia, divorce, sodomy itself, embryonic stem-cell research, in vitro fertilization and all unnatural means of conception, etc
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Posted by: Lucius49 -
Sep. 04, 2014 3:23 PM ET USA
St. Gregory the Great tells pastors: When a pastor has been afraid to assert what is right, has he not turned his back and fled by remaining silent? Whereas if he intervenes on behalf of the flock, he sets up a wall against the enemy in front of the house of Israel. Because they fear reproach, they keep silent and fail to point out the sinner’s wrongdoing. Check out: Pastoral Guide by Saint Gregory the Great (Lib 2, 4: PL 77, 30-31)The Second Reading of the Office of Readings 27th Sun Ord time
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Posted by: FredC -
Sep. 04, 2014 11:31 AM ET USA
It's OK, as long as people are carrying banners in front of the group and at the end of the group, with the lead banners saying that the following group promotes immorality that St. Patrick would condemn. The trailing banner could say "End Immorality."
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Posted by: rpp -
Sep. 04, 2014 8:36 AM ET USA
Well, that is one less family-friendly event in New York.
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Posted by: bruno.cicconi7491 -
Sep. 03, 2014 11:35 PM ET USA
I hope I'm wrong in my judgement, but it seems to me that the Archdiocese has made a very difficult choice between the spotlight and faithfulness. After all we don't want to lose the parade. Well, thinking it straight, this choice shouldn't be difficult, should it? Only if one considered that the parade itself was an essential tool of evangelization but, as much as I like parties, I must say it isn't, specially if it serves a contradiction to what the Church teaches. Then it's the contrary.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Sep. 03, 2014 9:59 PM ET USA
This is so disgusting, I can't believe it! Dolan is a wolf in shepherd's clothing. How old is he? I can't with until he turns 75!
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Posted by: williiam ronner -
Sep. 03, 2014 9:06 PM ET USA
Cardinal Dolan did nothing to stop the State of NY legislature from passing the Same Sex Marriage Bill. Any wonder why he accepts the new addition to the parade. Almost seems that the Cardinal has entered an agreement with the governor to remain quiet. Wonder what he got in return?
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Posted by: margieP -
Sep. 03, 2014 8:22 PM ET USA
Sometimes I feel just worn out trying to be a good Catholic when our 'shepherds' say and do things that require extra explanation or excuses. Thank God for this site where I can find encouragement and solid Catholic truth.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Sep. 03, 2014 7:31 PM ET USA
The only way to stop this homosexual onslaught and march through our institutions is to fight them on every street corner. There can be no cooperation at all with any of it, or our grandchildren will condemn us for our silence and complicity.
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Posted by: -
Sep. 03, 2014 6:55 PM ET USA
I am so glad that my parents passed on more than a decade ago and that they don't have to witness this farce.
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Posted by: Jim Hanink -
Sep. 03, 2014 6:41 PM ET USA
Yes, but why does the organizing group continue to have the Cardinal's confidence? Surely the natural law extends even to NBC employees?
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Posted by: shrink -
Sep. 03, 2014 5:03 PM ET USA
Dolan has moved beyond mere material cooperation in evil, and has endorsed the homosexual lifestyle. Wow. What's left? No, don't tell me.
