NYC Gazette

Brian Burch, the President of Catholic Vote, has voiced his disapproval over recent actions taken by the transgender community in New York during a funeral service held at a local cathedral. The service was requested by friends and family of the deceased because they considered the cathedral to be "iconic," a term they also used to describe their late loved one.

The funeral took place on Thursday, Feb. 15, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City for Cecilia Gentili, an advocate for "gender affirming care" and the decriminalization of sex work. According to a report from the Catholic News Agency, it appears that the cathedral's administration was not informed that Cecilia was born biologically male. The friends and family did not disclose this information when they requested the funeral service. Their conduct during the ceremony included prayers for "gender-affirming health care" and referring to Gentili as the "mother of whores."

Burch expressed his concerns to NYC Gazette stating, "We call on the LGBT activists responsible for pulling off this blasphemous stunt to apologize to Catholics of New York as well as Catholics nationwide." He further added that churches should never be exploited as venues for sacrilegious stunts that disregard church teachings.

In reference to similar incidents, Burch mentioned, "Last year it was the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Dodger Stadium, last week this debauchery was celebrated inside one our most iconic cathedrals." He emphasized that Catholics need to realize that those opposing their church are not content with being left alone. According to Burch, these individuals aim to undermine them by exploiting their institutions and sacred places to impose their debased vision of humanity.

Father Enrique Salvo, pastor of St. Patrick's Cathedral, issued a statement expressing his disappointment with how events unfolded during the funeral service. He said that they were only aware that a funeral Mass was being requested for a Catholic, and had no idea that their hospitality and prayers would be misused in such a sacrilegious and deceptive manner. He further noted that the occurrence of such a scandal at ‘America’s Parish Church’ was even more disheartening, especially as it coincided with the beginning of Lent, a period dedicated to prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy.