Shooting the Messenger

Archbishop George Niederaurer of San Francisco was filmed communing two men in drag (in mock nun outfits–members of the notoriously anti-Christian “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence”) while celebrating mass at “Most Holy Redeemer” Catholic Church, a San Francisco church notorious for its acceptance of practicing homosexuals (the pastor is Niederauer’s chancellor). Catholic News Service, the official news service of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, blasts those who filmed the mass and those who complained about it.

Carl Olson responds:

The message, apparently: beware of those bullying bloggers, but don’t be overly concerned about homosexual activists, cross-dressing “sisters,” and pro-gay parishes that ignore and/or mock Church teaching while supporting “gay pride” parades filled with nudity and depravity. Forget the bullies, where are the teachers and schoolyard monitors?

Yes, there have been some strong, even harsh, comments written about Archbishop Niederauer by Catholic pundits and bloggers. Yet the majority of the comments appear to have been written by folks who are distressed that mockery of the Eucharist and the Mass has not only taken place but seems to be downplayed by those whose primary focus should be to defend the Blessed Sacrament from any such mockery and protect the faithful from scandal, especially in the midst of the Liturgy.