TWCNews Rochester reports: “Catholics React to Unprecedented Move By The Vatican”
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Local Catholics are reacting after the Vatican made an unprecedented move on Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, it gave a group of gay and lesbian Catholics from the United States VIP seats during Pope Francis’ weekly general audience.
Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark said that really didn’t come as a surprise.
“It’s consistent with what he’s been proclaiming as part of his mission,” Clark said. “He’s very clear. All are invited. All are welcome.
However, as Andrea Gagliarducci of MondayVatican reports here:“Pope Francis: An Agenda Behind his Back?”
|The private audience they asked for was not granted. Nor did the group even gain access to the “baciamano” following the general audience to which they did secure tickets. But, Sr. Grammick, who led the 50 members of the pilgrimage group, was able to get tickets for the so called “reparto speciale” (special section) in St. Peter’s Square. Hence, her group was placed not far from ecclesiastical authorities, who had the closest seats, but it was not given VIP treatment. Nevertheless Sr. Grammick claimed that they had been given VIP treatment, that her group was welcomed with full honors in the Vatican, and that whereas this could never have happened under the two previous popes, it was possible now because of the new spirit brought into the Church by Pope Francis.
Too bad that – according a press aide of the Holy See Press Office – the group had not been admitted to the ‘baciamano’, that they had not been granted special tickets as “New Ways Ministry,” but instead as a group of American pilgrims accompanied by “a Sister of Loretto.” But, the Press Office insisted, even if they had presented themselves with their real name, they would not have been denied tickets, because papal audiences are free and accessible to everyone.
Looks to be another case of blatantly embellishing events to bolster their group’s standing and enlarge their sphere of influence.
How sad.
I do wish TWCNews would take that article down… falsely reporting that it was an “unprecedented move” on the part of the Vatican. Then the article quotes +Clark gushing over the happening, saying how thrilled he is over this supposed new vision for the future of the Church. Awful stuff, false and falser.
+JMJ
Sr. Grammick should be answerable and accountable for her part, for embellishing the event by saying they were given V.I.P. treatment,
Emmagrays – I wouldn’t call this “sad” – I would call this evil.