Catholic League: Gays Vandalize San Francisco Church

1/6/2009
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights (www.catholicleague.org/)

Catholic League President Bill Donohue is asking Catholics nationwide to respond to this incident.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Catholic League) - Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, in the heart of San Francisco�s gay Castro community, was vandalized over the weekend by opponents of Proposition 8, the California resolution passed by voters in November that rejected gay marriage. Swastikas were painted on the church and the names Ratzinger (referring to Pope Benedict XVI) and Niederauer (the San Francisco Archbishop) were scrawled besides the Nazi symbol.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue is asking Catholics nationwide to respond to this incident:

�In the wake of Proposition 8, innocent persons have been assaulted, churches have been vandalized, a white substance resembling anthrax was sent to the Knights of Columbus and to Mormon temples, supporters of traditional marriage have been branded Nazis, African Americans have been called the �N-word,� houses and cars have been trashed, etc. Unfortunately, most of those in the gay community have been silent about these acts.

�Part of the blame for the latest attack goes to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Both Newsom and the Board have shown nothing but contempt for the First Amendment rights of Catholics. When crucifixes are sold as sex toys and Catholic sensibilities are assaulted by naked men in the street at the annual Folsom Street Fair, they say nothing. When gay men dressed as nuns show up at Mass�at the same church�they say nothing. But the Board was quite vocal about condemning the Catholic Church in 2006, something which led to a lawsuit triggered by the Catholic League and the Thomas More Law Center.

�For those who love to write about �root causes,� let them ponder the guilt of these public officials. Moreover, leaders in the gay community show no leadership when it comes to denouncing incivility committed in the name of gay rights. This has got to end.�

Contact Mayor Gavin Newsom and ask him to finally condemn gay assaults on Catholics and other people of faith: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

- - -

The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. Founded in 1973 by the late Father Virgil C. Blum, S.J., the Catholic League defends the right of Catholics � lay and clergy alike � to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination. It is led by its' President, William A. Donohue, Ph.D.

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1 - 10 of 24 Comments

Kevin
3 years ago
At least 90% of the parishioners at Most Holy Redeemer in San Francisco are openly gay faith filled people? I'm getting the feeling from the comments above, that some of you visualize these tragic events as some group of sinful, "sick" gay people vandalizing this church filled with Dad, Mom, and 2 kids. Though acts of violence of any sort are wrong and shouldn't be tolerated, the comments above sadden me and make me wonder who I'm sitting next to when I'm at mass every Sunday. My Lord would never condone what some of you have put here in words.
Celine
3 years ago
These gay people are indeed sick.
If something was right or normal they would not have to fight for it. God have mercy on their souls
shaun
4 years ago
It is well and good to do so, to turn the other cheek, but it is evil when good men will do nothing, but sit back. It is just and right to stand up and correct the wrong, with force if needed. Turn the other cheek, yes, but when stopping there threatens to take your very soul, actions are needed. God will Judge us all.
Fr.Thomas
4 years ago
I read with painful heart the news of the assult on the people and at the church of san francisco. While we have to understand the weakness or sickness of the gay people we could never approve their acts. There is should not be any term as 'gay rights'. These people are mentally affected people and need to be treated as such. Otherwise the civilized society will lose all its authority to punish any people engaging in any type of crime. Let us pray to God that these people may be cured and come to the normal life. May our Lady intercede for their speedy recovery. Thanks.
John
4 years ago
These criminals are God's children too and are included into his call for universal holiness. Pray for them.
Chris
4 years ago
Amen Sean.
As is written in the bible Matthew 5:39- But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If one side retaliates against another, and they return in kind, the violence will never end. As is playing out now.
If we let go of the anger and desire for retribution, we are better off for it, and live according to God's will.
Let those do as they must and let us live as we must. God will have the ultimate say in all matters.
VEA
4 years ago
I got the same statement back from the Mayor's office, and then quickly did a keyword search to see how many newswire/media had picked up the press release. Answer: ZERO So, I spent 3 hours sending the press release to 15 major papers on the West Coast, to 43 editors and reporters(incl. CRIME reporters specifically). Today, only this additional comment blog showed up....otherwise, it appears to have been kept in the closet at the Mayor's office and the SF gov website. and hasn't gone anywhere else.
Joanne
4 years ago
The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks hate groups and hate incidents across the country. Their website splcenter.org did not yet list the Most Holy Redeemer vandalism, so I emailed the news to them. It is important that anti-Catholic bigotry receives the same amount of attention as other hate crimes. Anytime you are aware of anti-Catholic conduct/ occurrences in the United States, I urge you to inform them of it. Perhaps, they should list the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgences as a hate group for mocking the Catholic faith.
sean
4 years ago
hi just read this news. im from the uk and feel sad to read that this happened. i know that there has been problems over this but attacks on churches are wrong. we have our own let me tell you in the now "secular" europe but we must trust in God and put him first. we will all be tried in our faith, even jesus was in the desert for 40 days.my american friends it is not for us to judge but to spread the gospel of jesus.god bless from sean uk.
Ronald Konopaski
4 years ago
There are also many acts of bigotry and hatred that are not being reported.
My Parish is Star of the Sea in San Francisco. On Nov. 20, 2008 our parish received a package which simulated a bomb. The bomb squad responded and closed Geary Blvd. for 4 hours while they retrieved the package. TV media was on site during most of that episode, however there was not a peep in the Chronicle or on the TV News.
For a city that celebrates diversity and tolerance, San Francisco does not tolerate those who disagree with the Liberal agenda- Hypocrisy!

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