Minnesota archbishop bars gay activists from Communion

June 01, 2009

Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul, Minnesota, warned homosexual activists that protesters wearing rainbow sashes in the city's cathedral on Pentecost Sunday would not be allowed to receive Communion. In a letter to Brian McNeill of the Rainbow Sash Alliance-- a group that has organized similar protests each year on Pentecost-- the archbishop urged the members of the group to "refrain from such a public act of dissent, especially as it so clearly shows disrespect and irreverence for the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ." He explained that anyone wearing the rainbow sash would be barred from receiving the Eucharist "since their dissent is a sign that they have publicly broken communion with the Church’s teaching."

Archbishop Nienstedt went on to say that he would be happy to meet with McNeill, but only if the activist is prepared to affirm his respect for Church teachings. While dialogue is healthy, the archbishop said, "The truths of our faith are not open to debate."

 

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Further information:

• Rainbow sash-wearers prohibited from receiving (Catholic Spirit)
• Archbishop Nienstedt responds to Rainbow Sash alliance (Stella Borealis)