Indiana parishioner Connor Hakes, a
music graduate, planned to honor his grandmother by singing at her
funeral until he was told by his parish priest that because of his “gay
lifestyle” he would no longer be permitted to.
Father Bob J. Lengerich found a photo of Hakes and his friends taken at a Gay Pride festival some years back and told the stunned parishioner that he wouldn’t be able to sing at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church because he had advocated for gay rights.
Hakes wrote on his Facebook page: “I
can no longer sing at my Grandma’s funeral, because I attended a gay
pride rally and a picture was posted publicly (years ago).
The priest’s
reasoning is by attending such event, I am opposing the Catholic Church’s fundamental marriage belief.
"Both my Grandma and Grandpa would be
disgusted by their parish. Their compassion and empathy was abundant,
no matter who you were. They saw beyond race, religion, sexuality, and
social class. They loved everyone. That is what is means to be a
Christian. That is what it means to be Catholic. Please SHARE!”
The hard line letter from father
Lengerich lists the main reasons why Hakes was banned from singing at
his grandmother’s funeral mass, outlining that “the Catholic Church
forbids those who openly defy tenants of our faith to serve in (any
official church capacity). This included people who have been divorced
or remarried (with the benefit of a declaration of annuity), have openly
supported abortion rights and are openly participating in unchaste
same-sex relationships.”
Although the Church affirms the dignity of gay people, it nevertheless finds their relationships impermissible, the letter adds.
“The Catholic Church upholds the
dignity of those with same-sex attraction. At the same time, it does not
permit same-sex relationships or openly advocating for them because it
causes a scandal…”
Hakes, who has sung for the church on
several previous occasions, said his grandmother lived near the church
and her family had been a member of the parish for generations.
On Tuesday St. Mary’s Parish issued the following statement:
“Having become aware of the painful
situation at Saint Mary’s Parish in Decatur, the diocese is working on
fostering healing and reconciliation between the pastor and the Hakes
family. We encourage all to move forward with genuine Christian love and
mercy and with respect and prayer for one another.”
Hakes and his family have also
reportedly filed a formal complaint with leaders of the Diocese and are
planning to meet with the leaders.