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Published: October 12, 2007
“I did not see any mock religious garb”
Spokesman says San Francisco archbishop “simply making a pastoral visit” when he gave communion to men dressed as nuns
(Please see related item in today's edition -- "I must apologize," which is a complete statement by Archbishop Niederauer. The full text of the archbishop's statement was received last night after this story was approved for publication.)
 San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer has publicly spoken out against the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, archdiocesan communications director Maurice Healy told California Catholic Daily yesterday, and, said Healy, reports concerning the archbishop’s recent visit to Most Holy Redeemer parish have been exaggerated and misinterpreted to the point of becoming “a completely different story.”
Healy was responding to questions about a controversy that has arisen after the archbishop gave communion to two men dressed in exaggerated drag as nuns at Most Holy Redeemer parish in San Francisco’s Castro District on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Written reports, photos and videos of the archbishop giving communion to the pair of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence quickly made their way onto the Internet. Lifesite News contacted the archdiocese for an explanation, and on Oct. 10 published this statement from the Niederauer: “At Most Holy Redeemer Church Oct. 7, I noticed no protest, no demonstration, no disruption of the Sunday Eucharist.The congregation was devout and the liturgy was celebrated with reverence. Toward the end of the Communion line two strangely dressed persons came to receive Communion. I did not see any mock religious garb. As I recall, one of them wore a large flowered hat or garland."
The archbishop’s explanation only added fuel to the Internet fire, with Catholic bloggers questioning how informed Niederauer is about his own archdiocese, especially since he is close friends with his predecessor in San Francisco, Cardinal William Levada, currently Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.
California Catholic Daily specifically asked Healy if he thought it was reasonable for readers to believe that Archbishop Niederauer was unable to recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. “Did you see his comments?” asked Healy. “I think that’s what he’s honestly saying. The questions you’re asking me now are based on blog statements that are exaggerations. It’s re-interpreted through the blogs over the Internet and gets passed on until it’s a completely different story. If you search Google, you will see that Archbishop Niederauer has made statements against the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and that he also had a statement about the Folsom Street Fair. He is aware of these issues, and I think he was simply making a pastoral visit to that church.”
Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 2:50 AM By KaraLynn
I don't believe him. How could he not notice? Two men dressed like that should have been enough to exclude them from communion.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 6:19 AM By Gibbons in SF
About a week ago, California Catholic Daily ran a story called "What will he tell them?" asking what ABP. Niederauer would say in his homily about the ongoing atrocities at MHR, including a "dragqueen beauty pageant" held in the church's hall just one week before on September 29. Many of us were hoping that he would address these issues.
Then this outrageous event occured, which totally obscured the fact that in his homily the Archbishop did not mention that at all, nor did he mention the fact that MHR annually participates in the Gay Pride parade, nor that they have pictures of their participation proudly displayed on their website. In fact, in his statement he commends the parishioners of MHR for their devoutness and reverence.
Suppose the blasphemy of the SPI receiving communion had not occured. We would rightly be outraged that the Archbishop addressed none of these issues. And he still hasn't. Let us not forget that.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 7:06 AM By Allyson Smith
Here is Archbishop Neideraurer's statement about the Folsom Street Fair sadomasochistic Last Supper picture, from the October 5, 2007 issue of Catholic San Francisco, page 11, at:
http://www.catholic-sf.org/web_csf_10.5.07.pdf. Judge for yourself the strength of his statement:
‘Discrimination and prejudice have varied targets: race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. Hence we believe that people who ridicule the religious symbols and expressions of others have much in common with those who trade in social or ethnic slurs’ – Archbishop George Niederauer
Archbishop Niederaurer's statement contains not one word of condemnation against Folsom Street Fair, which took place in front of one of his own parishes (St. Joseph's on 10th Street), or the blasphemous Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who took money at the entrance gates. Not one word about sins against chastity or the need for repentance and conversion. In my opinion, this is a bland and toothless denunciation, and the archbishop lost a real teaching moment here.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 7:15 AM By Allyson Smith
Archbishop Niederaurer was simply making a "pastoral visit to that church," according to archdiocesan spokesman Maurice Healy? A "pastoral visit" to the most notoriously pro-gay parish in San Francisco, where he, according to eyewitness reports, gave a nondescript homily? A "pastoral visit" where he failed to denounce the homosexual shenanigans that have occurred at Most Holy Redeemer for years? A "pastoral visit" on October 7, which was the Feast of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary and Respect Life Sunday? Did he participate in a Life Chain or lead a rosary procession in front of an abortion clinic or do something else that day to denounce abortion, even if he failed to denounce sodomy during his "pastoral visit" to MHR?
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 7:31 AM By matt
These homo "sisters" are so well known by all of the clergy in S.F. I can specifically remember them mocking the Church and Her teachings when Pope John Paul visited S.F. in 87. Father Walsh, the Rector of St. Mary's Cathedral, had them removed from the Cathedral in 93 when they, together with ACT UP were protesting outside the Cathedral. Archbishop Brokeback Liederhosen is really making a fool out of himself if he really thinks people are going to believe him. His predecessor used up all of the phoney credibility with his many lies while he made a name for himself. Now he is lushing it up on red wine and wearing a red hat. The good life in Rome where nobody bothers or puts you on the line as in the U.S. where people still believe in some things.
Liederhosen will never forsake the many gay priests (right in his chancery) in the Archdiocese for the truth. Forget it. He, together with the "Review Board", have treated priest who are on leave for being accused of abuse like total garbage. I can say that if they were all gay, they'd be excused and promoted. Many of the priests are either innocent or guilty of indescretions that happened so many years ago, we should FORGIVE and FORGET about it. Meanwhile, this nonsense goes on and good priests are sacked. God Help Us. Pray for Priests. Bishops are hopeless.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 8:19 AM By Jo Ann
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive"! Has the Bishop ever instructed the congregation at that church about "sodomy"?
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 8:31 AM By Laurette Elsberry
Although modern electronics has brought many destructive devices into our lives, the availability of videos and digital cameras has certainly put a crimp into the lives of liars and perverts. I think that we might be able to make more headway into the "straightening" out of the Catholic hierarchy and clergy if we were ready to "shoot" at every Catholic event.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 9:16 AM By Lisa T.
Where's the bishop's apology for the Drag Queen Pageant that was held in the MHR parish hall two weeks ago? He should remove Fr. Meriwether from his post at MHR for allowing homosexual perverts to use the church hall for their show of sexual perversion.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 9:40 AM By Lisa T.
San Francisco is the Sodom and Gomorrah of our times. The Diocese of San Francisco is a part of the evil. IF Bishop Niederauer was strongly opposed to the homosexual perversion in his diocese (Folsom Street Fair and Sisters of Perpetual...) WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO GOOGLE SEARCH TO FIND HIS STATEMENTS (as Healy says). BISHOP NIEDERAUER WOULD HAVE IT POSTED ON THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE. If Bishop Niederaurer came out strongly against the Filthy Sodomite Folsom Street Fair like a Catholic Bishop should it would make National news.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 10:20 AM By Maria C
How could someone who is walking with Christ not know these people came in for bad reasons. Where are his virtues in Christ? God help us and forgive us.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 10:37 AM By Lisa T.
Catholics world wide should demand that the city of San Francisco end their evil perverted ways or stop using a Catholic Saint's name. Pervertville or Sodom by the Sea would be more fitting.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 12:21 PM By FrMichael
What can be said? Things are desperate for Catholicism in Sodom-on-the-Bay and the rot starts at the top.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 2:15 PM By Bernadette
The Archbishop appears blind to the evil around him. He apparently hasn't learned that Satan's appetite for evil cannot be appeased or comprimised. The Archbishop's actions resulted in sacrificing our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist and shaming and scandalizing the Body of Christ. God help him.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 4:23 PM By ELIZABETH
AGAIN, AS A FOURTH GENERATION SAN FRANCISCAN, PLEASE DO NOT 'LUMP' ALL THESE SAD SOULS IN WITH US NATIVES.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THERE ARE STILL SOME DECENT PEOPLE TRYING TO 'HOLD THE FORT'.
PRAY FOR US AND FOR THE ARCHBISHOP.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 5:21 PM By Linda
So let's see if I have this straight. (Pardon the pun.) Niederauer noticed that the members of the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" were strangely dressed, yet he failed to notice that they were wearing mock religious garb? How is that possible? Seems to me that if he noticed one thing, he should have been able to notice the other! Wake up, buddy, and start paying attention to who you're giving Communion to!
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 6:16 PM By John L. Sillasen
Hold yer hosses here! Has the obvious been overlooked here? Abp N says he saw no mock religious garb. Ok, so maybe he's all the time seeing people around him costumed up like that, and thinks it's normal.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 6:39 PM By Lisa T.
Did anyone see the Bill O'Reilly on the O'Reilly Factor tonight at 5? The topic was the bishop giving out communion to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. It's coming on again at 8pm I think Pacific time.
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 9:24 PM By --Tony R--
As a Catholic, I forgive the anti-Catholic group for their mockery during the Mass. IF they DIDN'T mock the Mass, why did they tape it and why do they belong to the historically consistent anti-Catholic group?
As a Catholic, my only comment towards the group would be, "I forgive you."
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Posted Friday, October 12, 2007 10:28 PM By Ygnacia
"... PLEASE DO NOT 'LUMP' ALL THESE SAD SOULS IN WITH US NATIVES."
Yes. It has just been the past 40 years or so that our lovely state has been invaded by every nut and crank in the nation. Lord please help us, St. Francis of Assisi please pray for us!
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Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:24 AM By Grisha
Lisa T.: Please forgive me my total lack of interest in what Bill O'Reilly thinks about my Archbishop.
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Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:59 AM By John L. Sillasen
It would seem to me that the mockery stems from the Archbishop out of his failure to refuse Communion to the two mockingly dressed people. Had he refused, then there would have been no scandal on the head of the Church.
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Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 1:14 PM By Grisha
Tany - I suspect that the filming of the two guys dressed in Commedia dell'arte costumes was done by someone who wanted to make scandal rather than anyone from MHR or the AB's party. We Catholics really ought not to be in this "Piety Police" business.
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Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 3:46 PM By John L. Sillasen
No, Grinsha, Catholicism is not meant to hide in the shadows ... the scandal was not the film but the fact that the Archbishop blew it totally. He screwed it up as badly as it could have been done. Whether he was aware or unaware, in either case the scandal is on him, not on the film. The film is merely the messenger. You should know that the devil is waiting for moments such as this, and the Abp has no excuse, not even dotage, or meds, or whatever ... he simply and manifestly abominated the Holy Eucharist. He should be punished in the same manner as Cdl Law, by being called to the Vatican and given a palatial mansion to remind him all his days of the consequences of sin. Think I'm being sarcastic? No, the riches of this world are something maybe these high level sinners should be made to wallow in ... kind of a comfort so they don't have to suffer the torment of thoughts of hell. BTW, has anyone heard of any repentance by Cdl Law? Would Abp N be any different?
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Posted Saturday, October 13, 2007 4:42 PM By Squibner Welch
If the Archbishop "did not notice" the mock religious garb, why did he initially withhold the Eucharist from the first activist, making a simple sign of blessing, before conversing with him and eventually placing the Eucharist in his hands? I hate to say this, but I believe the Archbishop is flatly lying about this. We all need to pray for him.
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Posted Sunday, October 14, 2007 8:50 AM By Gloria F. Flores
As a native of S.F.and cradle Catholic, I pray daily for Our Lord to purge this previously beautiful city of the evil heretics and vermin that have infilitrated and are descrating everything that once was descent and wholesome in our city,
named after St. Francis Assisi. May He answer soon, by sending us someone like St. Francis, especially to demonstrate to our present clergy what a true Catholic really does in following the Way of Christ. I THANK GOD DAILY FOR THE GIFT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. How could clery forget how sacred this gift is. WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY, LETS PRAY THAT GOD FORGIVES ALL OF US. Thank you for the means to express my thoughts.
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Posted Sunday, October 14, 2007 8:19 PM By jc
wow....this has to be the largest ever gathering spot of closet gays in the history of the world.
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Posted Sunday, October 14, 2007 9:47 PM By John L. Sillasen
jc: They're being rounded up for a revival meeting. The sawdust is being laid down now. The tent is being erected. The man with the gut-bucket is on his way. A deal is being cut with the operators of the still a few miles back in the hills ... as a back up for snakebite. They've got the preacher lined up. The stage is being fitted with a soft mat to make it less painful for those who get that slap on the forehead and collapse. The Castro District is being leafleted. Notices are being put on all the bushes along Santa Monica Blvd. A second hand store has arranged to collect all the crutches and walkers and wheel chairs that people leave behind. They've got it covered. Oh, did you say "closet" gays? There you go, another figment of the imagination, as if there is some merit between secret and out gays. They can all come. There's also a big container for them to throw away all that wierd stuff they wear.
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Posted Sunday, October 14, 2007 11:05 PM By jim in sf
And if a man sins, forgive him seventy times seven... Indeed, the AB does need our prayers. To deliver him from the hateful and unforgiving members of his archdiocese who cannot seem to embrace forgiveness as Our Lord commanded us to do.
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Posted Monday, October 15, 2007 9:25 AM By angel
and perhaps the Sisters were there simply to be with the Community and to honor a God. That's what they do. They serve the Community. You're so "all-fired" about them mocking Christianity. Look at their faces beyond the makeup. They are calm and respectful and filled with honor. They are there to worship, they're just brighter than some. In more ways than one.
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Posted Monday, October 15, 2007 9:28 AM By Debbie
The AB had no idea these were the SPIs coming up for Communion?? Right -- and Clinton "did not have sex with that woman," either. I know well who the self-serving SPIs are, and I don't even live in California. And what's with a clergyman kissing a male parishioner full on the mouth? This is a sick, obscene scandal. And Jim in SF, what's to forgive? You are Grisha both -- keep trying to put lipstick on a sow. Yes, be more concerned about "tolerance" for sin than for the pity and consolation you should be giving your Lord for the outrages He must suffer at MHR. Mock His true faithful, call them unjust and Pharisees and show them as lacking compassion for their spiritual brothers and sisters living in darkness because they won't go along with the depravity as "Love." You two are a sad example that anyone can talk the talk and call themselves a Catholic.
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Posted Monday, October 15, 2007 9:32 AM By EAS
As is typical for him, "jim in sf" ignores that Jesus' forgiveness is contingent upon his command, "Go, and now SIN NO MORE." John 8:11 (see also John 5:14)
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Posted Monday, October 15, 2007 11:03 AM By WB
It looks like the AB himself is one of the "hateful" members of the diocese since he said: "The manner of dress and public comportment of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is deeply offensive to women religious and to the witness of holiness and Christian service that women religious have offered to the Church and to the world for centuries."
Notice that he blamed them for being "deeply offensive". That's the problem, jim in sf.
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Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:40 AM By John L. Sillasen
angel, ever heard the word, "naiivite"? You take the cake on that one.
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Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:25 AM By Dan Steele
If the archbishop did not see the mock religious garb then it's no wonder the curch is blind to the pedophiles in the priesthood........
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Posted Tuesday, October 16, 2007 4:18 PM By John L. Sillasen
Also, notice that the Abp says the offense is towards women ... who the heck ghost writes for him? What about offending men, children, animals, trees, rocks? All of nature is offended by those twistos. God is offended, Blessed Mary Ever Virgin is offended. Even all manmade objects like cars, houses, factories, farms, nuclear energy products, radios, airplanes, movies ... everything good is offended, not just women religious. Those people are trying desparately to incarnate offensiveness, itself.
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Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:50 AM By Anjsjk
God lvs evry1 no maker wot there sexual preferences are!!!
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Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2007 3:13 PM By A. Catholic
Prior to going to Holy Communion each catholic should be prepared with a holy and pure mind. We should also come modestly and respectfully clothed in humility and respect to worship Almighty God, not anger Him with lewd or debauchery acts or dress appearance. Many good faithful catholics go to confession to be in the state of grace and prepared to receive Our Lord’s Body, Soul, and Divinity. Is it apparent that these drag queen homosexuals were in a state of grace to receive communion dressed in their gay pride costumes? Although we want to invite all to our catholic worship services, did not Our Lord also tell us of the Gospel parable of the man who was removed at wedding feast because he did not come properly prepared with his wedding garment? (Clothing was not the only point here, but more importantly preparation by the state of grace in one’s soul as well.) Why didn’t the parish escort thse drag queens out the door and instead tolerate their insulting manner to God? Was Mr. N in a state of grace to see the difference to see the gay pride and insults to Almighty God? If so, why did he tolerate the homosexual behavior? A national TV show (the O’Reilley Factor) reported this wasn’t just the end of the evil, rather the Drag Queen(s) had also desecrated the Host. What is wrong with the modern magisterial and clergy in the Vatican II church. Why do we continue to hear these atrocities happening more and more? May God forgive Mr. N, and bless us with holy bishops and priests. Seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened to you. God is with the faithful always, even until the end of time.
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Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2007 4:23 PM By John L. Sillasen
Anjsjk, if God loves everyone no matter what, then why does God condemn some people to Hell?
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Posted Sunday, October 28, 2007 1:51 PM By Laurel
You people on this list are so high and mighty! To judge the parishoners of a church--where you've never been, which you've never seen! To not know the endless good works this parish does for the homeless and AIDS victims. Go ahead, judge! See how far that gets you in this life or the next one. Sad, sad, sad, all of you. Jesus is at home with the people of Most Holy Redeamer, not with the judgmental know-it-alls on this list. Sorry. And I bet my comments won't be posted, either!
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