Gay and Lesbian Catholics Will Enter Catholic Cathedrals Nationally On Pentecost Sunday

    CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was released
 today by the Rainbow Sash Movement (RSM). The RSM will respond to the fear
 and intolerance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) persons, by
 many of our Catholic Bishops on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2006. We will be
 entering, with our straight allies, Catholic Cathedrals across the nation
 on Pentecost wearing Rainbow Sashes as a sign of identification. Some
 Bishops have welcomed us in the past, and we are thankful for their
 welcome.
     Nationally our Bishops have lobbied against our human rights. Our grief
 is intensified because many in the GLBT Catholic Community feel alienated
 from the Church because of this assault on our human rights. We believe the
 Bishops have a serious obligation to root out structures and attitudes that
 discriminate against the homosexual as a person. A small number of
 courageous Bishops are exerting their leadership in behalf of this effort,
 and these Bishops will have our full support and prayers.
     The Gospels reveal that, while Jesus did not hesitate to proclaim
 radical ethic of life grounded in the promise of God's kingdom, he never
 ceased to reach out to the lowly, to the outcasts of his time even if they
 did not live up to the full demands of his teaching. Jesus offered
 forgiveness and healing to all who sought it. And when some objected to
 this compassion, he responded: "Let the one among you who is guiltless be
 the first to throw the stone,"(John 8:7)
     We are followers of Jesus Christ, and Catholic. This is why members of
 the Rainbow Sash Movement will wear Rainbow Sashes on Pentecost Sunday. We
 see homophobia within the Church as both an opportunity for education, and
 a way to promote the idea of love of neighbor. We are calling for dialogue.
     To find out more, and get involved with Rainbow Sash Movement please
 visit our Web site at http://www.rainbowsashmovement.com, or email:
 Sashmovement@AOL.Com
 
 

SOURCE Rainbow Sash Movement