LGBT+ Prayer vigil prevented in Basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart
Lugano (Switzerland)
On May 21, several Catholic and Reformed organizations, including Catholic Action of Ticino, Switzerland, wanted to organize a prayer vigil "for the end of homophobia" in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Lugano, on the pretext that this type of event already exists in several Italian dioceses. However, the Catholic faithful of the diocese, up in arms, sent a petition and then an open letter to the bishop; the event was ultimately delayed by one day and held in a Reformed church.
"We consider the choice of venue inappropriate for an event that indirectly conveys an ideological vision, namely that of the LGBTQIA+ community, incompatible with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Gospel," the faithful wrote to the interim bishop, Alain de Raemy. In a petition, the signatories hammered the point home, dismissing the organizers' arguments for inclusivity: "When prayer and the instrumentalization of the Word of God are used for ideological purposes and feelings of guilt are stirred up in those brothers and sisters, lay and consecrated, who, in conscience, do not share the visions and categories of gender ideology because they are incompatible with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this is, in our opinion, neither merciful nor inclusive."
The event was also harshly criticized by a section of the Catholic press: "Lorenzo Quadri, editor-in-chief of the Sunday newspaper of the League "Mattino della domenica" and national councilor, mocked online: "LGBTQ propaganda in the basilica: Jesus Christ (it really must be said). A prayer vigil for gender ideology was exactly what we needed. Has the woke trend now reached the Church?" Even in the basilica, the burial place of the bishops, more than minor upheavals are to be expected. Aside from climate policy (see "fasting for the climate" instead of Lent), someone now thinks it's a "good idea" to use the Church for LGBTQXYZ propaganda. Of course, some believe they can cobble together a tailor-made religion. But that's not how it works."
According to Swiss Cath, "Bishop de Raemy was informed of the prayer vigil from the beginning by Azione Cattolica and expressly insisted that the event not be used for propaganda or ideological purposes. The administrator shares the view that it is right to pray for and with marginalized and discriminated people, but the Diocese of Lugano was never among the promoters or organizers of the event."
Once again, faced with the excesses of certain "Catholics" who circumvent the authorities or exploit their complicit silence, only the mobilization of the faithful pays off. In Switzerland as elsewhere.
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