See no evil

Expect no Vatican response to the direct challenge posed by the LGBTQ pilgrimage

Last week I wrote that Catholics should not have been surprised (although they might well have been scandalized) by the highly publicized meeting between Pope Leo and Father James Martin, SJ, the indefatigable promoter of the LGBTQ cause. This week let me add that, for all the same reason, Catholics should not expect a statement from the Vatican condemning the outrageous and disrespectful behavior of LGBTQ activists parading through St. Peter’s basilica in their (again, highly publicized) Jubilee pilgrimage this weekend.

Yes, the Vatican should condemn the antics: the rainbow crucifix, the “F—- the rules” T-shirt, etc. Yes, the Jubilee organizers should apologize to faithful Catholics for allowing this event. Yes, the Pope should rebuke the Italian bishop who encouraged the gay activists in their disdain for Church teaching. But don’t expect any such response.

Far more likely, Church officials will take no official notice of the weekend’s excesses. Because that’s what Church officials have been doing for years in (non)-response to the challenges posed by gay activists. Pretend not to notice. See no evil.

Can you think of another scandal to which Church officials responded, for years, by pretending they didn’t notice the problem? Right. Exactly. It’s now an established pattern. Are priests chasing altar boys? Sorry; didn’t notice. Lavender Mafia members controlling the seminary? Communities of nuns paying homage to Gaia? Didn’t notice. Thousands of teenage Catholics disappearing from the church for good immediately after their Confirmation? Didn’t notice. Nobody going to Confession? Priestly and religious vocations in decline? Catholic schools promoting gender ideology? Catholic politicians promoting abortion? See no evil. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t admit there’s a crisis in the Church.

Leila hits several nails on their heads today in her own reaction to the Jubilee pilgrimage. Did you notice that the LGBTQ affair was scheduled for the same weekend as the largest youth-oriented event of the Jubilee Year? Have you noticed that bishops find it easy to discover the positive messages in Father Martin’s books, but miss the blatant pandering?

Well, many thousands of faithful Catholics have noticed. We’re just wondering what will it take to prompt an honest, robust response from the hierarchy.