A New York cathedral has apologised for holding a “sacrilegious” funeral for a transgender activist eulogised as the “mother of all whores”.
St Patrick’s, a 19th-century cathedral in Manhattan known as “America’s parish church”, said it held a Mass of reparation to atone for “scandalous behaviour” at the service for Cecilia Gentili.
Clips of the live-streamed funeral, where mourners clad in fishnet stockings and miniskirts danced in the aisles, drew condemnation from Catholic groups after going viral.
The church later claimed it had been misled into hosting a funeral for Gentili, a 52-year-old former sex worker from Argentina, known locally for championing trans rights and people with Aids.
Mourner places flowers at the funeral of Gentili, which was later denounced by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/GETTY IMAGES“Thanks to so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behaviour at a funeral here at St Patrick’s Cathedral earlier this week,” the Rev Enrique Salvo said on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York on Saturday.
“The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way,” he continued.
“That such a scandal occurred at ‘America’s Parish Church’ makes it worse.
“That it took place as Lent was beginning, the annual forty-day struggle with the forces of sin and darkness, is a potent reminder of how much we need the prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season invites us.”
Pews were packed with mourners, many of them transgender, who cheered as they were led in prayers for transgender rights and access to sex-change surgery.
Mass cards and a photo placed near the altar showed Gentili with a halo, surrounded by the Spanish words for “transvestite”, “whore”, “blessed” and “mother” above the text of a psalm.
Pews were packed with mourners, many transgender, who cheered as they were led in prayers for transgender rights and access to sex-change surgery. Credit: STEPHANIE KEITH/GETTY IMAGESThe New York Post reports that one eulogist, wearing a sleeveless top and cowboy hat, paid tribute to “this great whore, St Cecelia, mother of all whores”.
“Today we say we will see you soon and that you will give us the strength, the courage to continue your legacy, to continue the challenges ahead,” they added.
The speech was met with a standing ovation by the hundreds of people in attendance, but prompted criticism from religious groups when it was posted online.
Gentili, a 52-year-old former sex worker from Argentina, was known locally for championing trans rights. Credit: BEBETO MATTHEWS/APRev Nicholas Gregoris, a founder of the Priestly Society of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman, said the service was a “deplorable desecration of America’s most famous Catholic Church”.
Gentili’s family have hit back at criticisms of the funeral, accusing the Archdiocese of New York of “hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred”.
“The only deception present at St. Patrick’s Cathedral is that it claims to be a welcoming place for all,” they added.
In the Catholic tradition, a mass of reparation is held as an act of compensation, making amends for one’s own sins or the sins of others against God.
