We're Here, We're Queer, We're C------c: Archbishop Timothy Dolan Tells Catholic Parish to March in Gay Pride Parade without Identifying Itself

We're here, we're queer, we're Catholic:

I can think of few more poignant symbols to define the agenda of Benedict's restorationist Catholicism, when it comes to LGBT Catholics, than this story.  Parishioners of St. Francis Xavier church in New York are informed by Archbishop Timothy Dolan that they may not march in this year's Gay Pride parade (in which they've marched for some years now) while carrying a sign identifying their parish.  In years past, they've always carried a banner noting that they represent St. Francis Xavier parish.

We are not even to name the church as we stand in solidarity with LGBT persons.  In fact, to be brutally honest, once we've said our disingenuous little rhetorical piece about respect for human rights and opposition to discrimination, we're not to say or do anything at all to show solidarity with LGBT human beings.

Jesus ate with sinners.  Jesus defended and welcomed those on the margins.

The church of John Paul II and Benedict refuses to do so, if those on the margins happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered.

And here is why I find it impossible to respect much of anything that American Catholic centrists have to say about the church and its role in culture today: this is Michael Sean Winters lauding Dolan on his installation as archbishop of New York:

At a time when Catholics confront calls to re-ghettoize the Church and the category "former Catholics" ranks as the second largest religious designation in the country, we need this exuberant man who is so determined to reach out and so evidently in love with the Church.

Exuberant, determined to reach out: but the banner is blank.  What message do the current leaders of the church and their centrist defenders really imagine they are giving to the LGBT community and the culture at large, when it comes to the human rights of gay persons?

Talk about the love that dare not speak its name . . . .