The judge's action and words are outrageous. And the claim by the three guys that they were emotionally devastated by the refusal to give them communion is, I am sure, a total lie. They were at the church and in the hotel to demonstrate and posture. If they were (mis)identified at the Basilica as gay demonstrators, I assume they must have been wearing some distinctive badge, ribbon or other marking that led the priest to assume they were a part of the group the Shrine officials were on the lookout for. The judge should be reprimanded. But don't expect anything from the ACLU.

I remember some years ago at the cathedral in Chicago when I sat in the row behind three fairly obvious gay men. At communion time they went forward to receive but it was clear that they were not familiar with the rite. However, the eucharistic minister irresponsibly gave them communion anyway. At least one of them did not consume the host but kept it dangling from his fingers back in the pew. My suspicion was that they were planning to take the host out of the church for some sacriligeous use, as has happened elsewhere, for instance outside of St. Patrick's in NYC. I leaned forward in anger and told the guy to consume it or I would call the usher. He just chuckled.

I am not equating that episode with the three in Washington, D.C. but some gay groups are known to use the eucharist as a political tool in their campaigns to pressure the Church.
Arnold | 01.31.03 - 12:40 pm | #

DC-area readers: Could somebody post the address - hone number - or even fax number for the DC Superior Court? This poor mistaken judge needs some remedial catechism and I think some of us should {respectfully} offer her a little enlightenment. It IS a Spiritual Work of Mercy, as I remember.

Julianne Wiley
Julianne Wiley | 01.31.03 - 12:56 pm | #

Apparently, this allegedly Catholic judge has not been to mass in a while, or has not stayed long enough to hear the closing words "go in peace, to love and SERVE the Lord." Funny how they seem to forget that last part.
C. Matt | 01.31.03 - 1:05 pm | #

Now what would happen if they celebrated Mass inside an abortion clinic bubble zone?

At the risk of soundling like a legalistic canonist, there's something strange and contrary to the faith for Civil Court Mildred Edwards to forgive in the name of the Church. Perhaps she can forgive in the name of the People of the District of Columbia, but she cannot forgive in the name of the Church for an offense done to it -- Or if I've got my who is forgiving who wrong -- She cannot forgive for the Tremendous violence was done to [them] by the Church (?) unless she is personally an offender.

I suppose if there wasn't a conviction, the activists would turn around and sue the Church and hotel for harassment.





Patrick Sweeney | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 2:42 pm | #

If the judge saw fit to apologize in the name of the Church, why didn't she just offer comminion while she was at it?
Norris | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 3:15 pm | #

Puzzling. I wonder whether the protesters would have gotten off as easily had they been pro-life activists at the Planned Parenthood Clinic on 16th Street rather than gay activists at the hotel where the Catholic Bishops were meeting. Hmm.
Patrick Rothwell | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 3:48 pm | #

So many letters to write, so little time. But for this incident and the Governor of California, I'm going to MAKE the time.

Unbelievable.

Molly | Homepage | 01.31.03 - 5:32 pm | #

Here's the D.C. Superior Court address.

500 Indiana Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20001

Phone: 202. 879.1010

I would address the letters directly to the judge.
Kathleen | 01.31.03 - 5:43 pm | #

Hilarious. And if the liberals had their way they would make it a crime to refuse communion to any practicing homosexual, pro-abortion layman or female preist. The sentence would be 10 years at a 'diversity' course in SF learning the evils of tradition and orthodoxy. It will be like going back to seminary.
chuck | 01.31.03 - 6:21 pm | #