Dirty Hands Sunday

'Dirty Hands Vigil' - St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC

A group of Catholics (& allies) who support LGBT equality today engaged in a quiet vigil outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City in response to recent comments made by Timothy Dolan who is both the leader of the Catholic Church in NY and the USA. In a recent article Dolan implied that LGBT Catholics are welcome to attend mass but only if they wash their hands before doing so (you know, we are tainted). The 'dirty hands' vigil involved presenting to St Patrick's with charcoal-stained hands in a silent statement of opposition to the church's ongoing discrimination against LGBT people. There was a strong police presence which was totally out of proportion to the size and peaceful nature of the event. The participants were informed by an LGBT police liaison and a representative of St Patrick's that unless they washed their hands they would not be able to enter the church building for the Sunday service. If they refused to wash their hands and attempted to enter the building they were told they would be arrested. A couple of members decided to comply with this request and attended the church service while others stayed outside with their 'dirty hands' on display. Although I did not participate in the vigil I wanted to be present to document this important event. Kudos to those who had the courage to participate in this gentle statement of opposition to the Catholic Church's ongoing discrimination against LGBT people both in the USA and globally. Read more about the event here

WELL DONE! KUDOS!