Here is one for the LGBT community!
Organizers of the St. Patrick’s day parade in New York City,have lifted a ban on openly gay groups who wish to participate in the event. The ban has been a major source of contention between LGBT groups and the conservative Catholic Archdiocese of New York which handles the religious event in honor of its patron saint.
“I have no trouble with the decision at all” says Cardinal Timothy Nolan, the Archbishop of New York and Grand Marshal of the parade. “I think the decision is a wise one.”
The act is seen as a reflection of the Catholic Church’s softening attitude towards the LGBT community. Pope Francis, the leader of more than a billion Catholics worldwide, has been quoted as saying, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
But some prominent Catholics were not happy with the lifting of the ban.“It is a shameful and sinful capitulation by the parade organizers and Cardinal Dolan,” says Pat Archbold who wrote an opinion piece at the National Catholic Register. “If a parade that is meant to honor a great saint is being used to promote a sinful agenda, it should be canceled rather than allow it to be used in such a way.”
The decision was made on Wednesday (Sept. 3) amidst corporate pressure from NBC, who threatened to drop the coverage if the there was no inclusion of gay groups. This follows Guinness, who dropped out from being a major corporate sponsor the previous year.
Every year, the parade begins with a Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The event was founded by Irish immigrants who wish to honor the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick. Over the years it has become a major part of New York City’s cultural fabric.
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