US: San Francisco Archbishop urged not to attend anti-gay event
The Archbishop of San Francisco has been urged to cancel his plans to attend a National Organisation for Marriage event next week.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone announced last week he would attend NOM’s “March for Marriage” event.
However, an open letter urging him to cancel the trip was signed by California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and four state senators, as well as faith, LGBT and community leaders.
It reads: “We respect freedom of religion and understand that you oppose civil marriage for same-sex couples.
“But the actions and rhetoric of NOM, and those of the event’s speakers and co-sponsors, fundamentally contradict Christian belief in the fundamental human dignity of all people.”
“We ask that you will reconsider your participation and join us in seeking to promote reconciliation rather than division and hatred.”
Today, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, one of the most senior Catholic politicians in America, called on Cordileone to change his mind.
According to the Chronicle she personally appealed to the Archbishop, writing: “We share our love of the Catholic faith and our city of San Francisco”, urging him to respect both by not attending an event where participants show “disdain and hate towards LGBT persons.”
Quoting the Pope, she added: “If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?”
