Providence, Rhode Island’s Bishop Thomas Joseph Tobin drew sharp and immediate criticism, locally and nationally, after he advised Catholics to avoid LGBTQ Pride Month events in a following tweet this past Saturday morning. Reads the tweet:
A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ “Pride Month” events held in June. They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children.
The tweet came as the Ocean State prepares for Rhode Island PrideFest in Providence. For details on the June 15 celebration, visit prideri.org.
By Monday morning, Tobin had received more than 70,000 responses, largely criticism.
And Tobin’s remarks are reflecting very poorly on the Catholic Church, as reported in Time magazine:
Critics of Tobin were quick to point out how the long legacy of Catholic sex abuse scandals has harmed children. It’s unknown exactly how many children have suffered abuse from Catholic clergy in recent decades. Over 1,350 survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy came forward between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, according to the annual report of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection.
“A reminder that Catholic clergy has been a lot more dangerous to kids than LGBT,” world-renowned tennis player Martina Navratilova said in response to Tobin’s tweet.
“I would trust my four kids more at a pride parade than in a Catholic Church,” said ABC News political analyst, Matthew Dowd.
But on Sunday, according to a report in the Boston Globe, a very different message was being sent in Providence’s St. Raymond’s Roman Catholic Church:
The reverberations reached into the morning services at St. Raymond’s Roman Catholic Church, where attendees, including [Rhode Island] Governor Gina Raimondo, passed beneath a wooden sign that reads “All Are Welcome In This Place.’’
There, the Rev. Edward L. Pieroni openly expressed his worry that the latest controversy would push gays and lesbians away from a church already riven with divisions over abortion, clergy sex abuse, and same-sex relationships.
“My concern is that for people who are lesbian or gay—same-sex attraction—that they may leave the church. A lot of people have hung in there, but it’s like, ‘One more slap and we are done.’ I am here to beg you — and I will get on my hands and knees and beg you — not to leave,” Pieroni told the congregation.
By Sunday afternoon, after statements of support for the LGBTQ community from the governor and mayor and rebukes from entertainment figures, and with plans underway for a protest in Providence, Tobin issued a statement.
“I regret that my comments yesterday about Pride Month have turned out to be so controversial in our community, and offensive to some, especially the gay community. That certainly was not my intention, but I understand why a good number of individuals have taken offense. I also acknowledge and appreciate the widespread support I have received on this matter,” he said. “The Catholic Church has respect and love for members of the gay community, as do I. Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and our brothers and sisters.”
He added, “As the gay community gathers for a rally this evening, I hope that the event will be a safe, positive and productive experience for all. As they gather I will be praying for a rebirth of mutual understanding and respect in our very diverse community.” …
Banners are up in the downtown, and a parade and festival is scheduled for later this month.
Sunday evening, protesters gathered outside the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. As the bells called the faithful to Mass, Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” played on a speaker amid waving rainbow flags at the rally.
While about 150 people attended Mass inside the cathedral, nearly double the crowd was outside, carrying signs, waving rainbow flags, and chanting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, hate has got to go.”
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