On X, formerly known as Twitter, Catholic Vote expressed outrage over an event held at St.
Patrick's Cathedral, describing it as a staged "mockery of the Christian faith" by transgender activists.
The event, which took place during a funeral service for transgender advocate Cecilia Gentili, prompted calls for Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Archdiocese of New York to respond to what many viewed as sacrilege.
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Outrage and Calls for Action
One X user questioned whether Cardinal Dolan would take steps similar to those taken by the Diocese of Brooklyn when a pop star performed an inappropriate music video in a parish church, including making reparations and performing an exorcism and consecration of the altar and nave.The Funeral Service
The funeral service for Gentili, attended by approximately 1,000 people, featured many in attendance wearing drag and scanty outfits.At the altar, an image of Gentili with a halo was displayed, surrounded by Spanish words including "whore," "transvestite," "blessed," and "mother.
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Defense and Justification
Trans-activist Oscar Diaz defended the decision to hold the funeral at St.Patrick's, stating that it "felt appropriate" to bestow "sainthood" on Gentili.
However, the service was marked by several moments that some viewed as irreverent and sacrilegious.
Controversial Moments
During the liturgy, attendees cheered, applauded, and chanted "Cecilia!" and "madre de putas," which translates to "mother of whores" in Spanish.A rendition of the "Ave Maria" by the cathedral cantor was interrupted when an attendee shouted "Ave Cecilia!" and danced down the center aisle.
Reflections and Comparisons
A lay reflection during the service compared Gentili's advocacy for normalizing sex work and lobbying for gender-related healthcare to Christ's ministry to prostitutes and outcasts.In another reflection, Gentili was described as "this whore, this great whore, St.
Cecilia, mother of all whores," prompting applause from the assembled crowd.
Gentili's Views on Religion
Gentili, who had identified as an atheist but expressed a recent interest in God in a November 2023 interview, spoke about the role of religion in her life.She stated, "Religion has been such a foundational aspect of my life that I’ll always have some kind of connection to it.
I still crave a sense of community and belonging that I know a lot of people find in faith.
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Commentary and Analysis
Jonathan Liedl, senior editor for the National Catholic Register, and Matt McDonald, a staff reporter for the National Catholic Register and editor of the New Boston Post, provided background information on the event and its implications.Liedl's background includes state Catholic conference work, three years of seminary formation, and tutoring at a university Christian study center, while McDonald is a seasoned journalist covering Catholic news.
