Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the Catholic Church, the news of a disgraceful, sacrilegious funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York of a trans, atheist male prostitute made the headlines last week. Why this man who called himself “Cecelia Gentili” was ever granted a funeral in this iconic church remains a mystery. Can anyone off the street walk up to St. Patrick’s in Midtown Manhattan and be granted access to the sacraments? This seems highly unlikely. A thorough investigation of the parish staff and exactly how this happened is in order.
It was reported that LGBTQ activist Fr. James Martin was originally supposed to preach at this funeral but was traveling and could not make it. He did make a comment to the New York Times supporting the funeral before it took place, so obviously, this travesty was broadly made known in traditional print and social media. And why didn’t parish security stop those from entering the cathedral when they observed some dressed in inappropriate attire like fishnets and a thong?
The behavior of the mourners at this funeral was nothing less than scandalous. At one point, two men were kissing behind a lectern in the sanctuary; others called the deceased “the mother of all whores” and “St. Cecelia”; the presiding priest kept referring to the deceased as a woman; and the attendees were raucous and irreverent making political statements throughout the service. They even had the gall to yell out “Ave Cecilia” during a rendition of Ave Maria, which constituted a grave offense against the Blessed Mother.
However, this is not the first time a Catholic Church has been desecrated. Last November, pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed part of an obscene music video in a Brooklyn Catholic Church. In the video, Carpenter is scantily clad and performing a suggestive dance routine in front of the altar. In Mexico, another sacrilegious music video was filmed. This time, it was a rapper who was dressed as a priest. The rapper climbed up on the altar and distributed marijuana joints to mock the distribution of the Eucharist.
There used to be a certain decorum or etiquette that everyone seemed to honor and respect in the various houses of worship. For the most part, respectful behavior is still supported and upheld – except, of course, for the Catholic church. The blasphemous trans activist funeral was akin to a Jewish temple being overrun by skinheads dressed in Nazi outfits. It was like a group of inappropriately dressed tourists descending on a Mosque while keeping their shoes on, sipping a Starbucks, and talking loudly on their cell phones. It was like a horde of children going to a Buddhist temple who were pointing at things, climbing on the Buddha statue, and touching the monks. If any of these things happened in such a bold and brazen manner in any other house of worship, the mainstream media would be outraged and demand not only an apology but the figurative head of whoever committed these offenses and/or allowed them to occur.
This is not true for the Catholic faith. Any insult, slur or transgression seems to be A-Okay. And exactly why did this man who was not a practicing Catholic and his family, friends and followers want a funeral in a Catholic church anyway? Why didn’t they go to a temple, a mosque, or some non-denominational church, or secular place to hold this event?
For that answer we turn to GMC’s gospel reflection, All Authority Has Been Given to Me, from a few weeks ago. Raphael Peters sums it up this way, “The possessed one knew Jesus was God because the deceiver cannot deceive himself. The demon is evil, and Jesus is the personification of good; the contrast cannot be denied.” Meaning that even those who are in grave sin and reject the tenets of the Catholic faith know in their heart of hearts that the Catholic Church houses the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Savior. These poor souls instinctively long for a deep and loving relationship with Jesus but, for whatever reason, are not willing to give up their carnal pleasures and carry their cross with Him up to Calvary. Rather, they try to change the Church’s teachings to suit their needs, and that is why they are seemingly obsessed with our faith.
We are all sinners in one way or another and in need of God’s forgiveness, and although it is so tempting to feel an enormous amount of animosity for these lost people who have blatantly desecrated our churches – don’t. Instead, say a prayer for them, as they may be under the influence of demonic forces. Also, protect yourself from the demons that are all around us by saying this prayer to St. Joseph – Terror of Demons.
Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast your solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with your mighty staff. You fled through the night to avoid the devil’s wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from you! Grant special protection, we pray, for children, fathers, families, and the dying. By God’s grace, no demon dares approach while you are near, so we beg of you, always be near to us! Amen.