NY Church Drapes Altar Steps With Gay Flag

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MANHATTAN, June 29, 2015 (ChurchMilitant.com) - A Catholic church in New York City has posted a photo of its altar steps draped in the rainbow flag.

Saint Francis Xavier, known as a bastion for gay Catholics, has a reputation for gay activism, with members regularly marching in the city's gay pride parade.

The photo was posted on the parish's Facebook page on June 27, the day right after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its revolutionary decision legalizing same-sex "marriage" in all 50 states, and during the weekend of gay pride festivities in New York City.

The pastor once wrote a parish bulletin encouraging the Church to rethink its teachings on homosexuality, and the parish hosts regular meetings for Catholic Lesbians and Gay Catholics, as well as a Zen Meditation group. Although the Courage apostolate — the only Church-approved ministry to Catholics with same-sex attraction — is headquartered in New York City, the parish has yet to welcome the orthodox apostolate there.

New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan has so far imposed no serious discipline on the parish, and in fact caused controversy when he applauded the church's LGBT group during Mass several years ago.

Editor's Note, July 6, 2015: The article was revised to reflect the fact that the photo posted on St. Francis Xavier's Facebook page was not taken during the weekend of June 27–28, even though it was posted during that time.

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