GAYS INVITED COMPARISON TO THE KKK

Statement from Cardinal Francis George at the website of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago:
(The statement is no longer at the link above. See screen capture below. Click on the image for the larger view.)

The Chicago Gay Pride Parade has been organized and attended for many years without interfering with the worship of God in a Catholic church. When the 2012 Parade organizers announced a time and route change this year, it was apparent that the Parade would interfere with divine worship in a Catholic parish on the new route. When the pastor's request for reconsideration of the plans was ignored, the organizers invited an obvious comparison to other groups who have historically attempted to stifle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church. One such organization is the Ku Klux Klan which, well into the 1940's, paraded through American cities not only to interfere with Catholic worship but also to demonstrate that Catholics stand outside of the American consensus. It is not a precedent anyone should want to emulate.

It is terribly wrong and sinful that gays and lesbians have been harassed and subjected to psychological and even physical harm. These tragedies can be addressed, however, without disturbing the organized and orderly public worship of God in a country that claims to be free. I am grateful that all parties concerned resolved this problem by moving the Parade's start time so as not to conflict with the celebration of Mass that Sunday.(My emphasis in both paragraphs)

I read the first statement in bold type over three times, because I could not believe what I was reading. I even did a screen shot to show that the statement was on the website in the event the words are taken down. That Cardinal George put out such a statement, even after the Gay Pride paraders agreed to postpone the start time of the parade, is shocking to me.

"It was all the fault of the gays. They brought it on themselves." How many times have we heard similar excuses for prejudicial words and actions against other groups? I sit here shaking my head. Cardinal George may not be embarrassed by his words, but I am embarrassed for him.