On LGBT issues, Cupich made news with his response to a 2021 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith text forbidding blessings for same-sex couples. Under its authority, Cupich has also restricted other worship traditions favored by Catholic conservatives, such as priests celebrating Mass “ad orientem” as opposed to the modern “versus populum” stance in which, when at the altar, they face their congregations. The Chicago cardinal has been a fierce defender of the pope’s “Traditionis Custodes” (“Guardians of the Tradition”) document limiting the use of the traditional Latin Mass. Pope Francis recently named Cupich to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The details of this pride-season Mass inspired online debates, since it occurred in the powerful Archdiocese of Chicago, led by Cardinal Blase Cupich. There was no homily, even though canon law requires a “priest or deacon” to deliver one during Sunday Masses with a congregation. The Father’s Day reflection by Duyka and Shingleton filled the homily slot in the Mass, following the gospel reading. There was no need to worry about hearing sermons opposing gay marriage or seeing conversion therapy pamphlets. Parishioners shook the couple’s hands during the Sign of the Peace.
Pat’s altar featured - for a month - photos of victims from Orlando’s Pulse nightclub massacre. The youngest was baptized with no complications, unlike the “secret ceremony” for their first daughter at a previous church. “In all honesty, if you had told us as young boys who wasted countless hours of our lives in church trying to ‘pray the gay away’ that we someday would be standing in front of all of you in our Catholic church talking about our family on Father’s Day, we would never have believed you.”Īt this historic parish, their adopted daughters are thriving. “Chicago is celebrating pride, and of course today is Father’s Day, and conveniently we tick both of those boxes,” said Duyka. Patrick’s Church in Chicago, where their family was welcomed because the parish practices what its clergy calls “radical inclusivity.” This year, the two husbands created an online buzz when, after a decade in these pews, they shared the pulpit during a symbolic Sunday Mass. (OPINION) Landon Duyka and Alex Shingleton had almost given up on Catholicism. This piece reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent those of Religion Unplugged, its staff and contributors.
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