The New York Post said that an atheist transgender activist’s burial was held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Thursday, but the cathedral claims it was deceived into accepting the service.
According to reports, 52-year-old campaigner Cecilia Gentili, who supported the rights of trans people, prostitutes, and people living with HIV/AIDS, had her services in the cathedral.
Last week, over a thousand individuals flocked to the church for the service; most sported miniskirts, fishnet stockings, and high-heeled shoes. An acting performance by Billy Porter of “This Day” kicked off the program. The abolition of barriers to so-called gender-affirming healthcare services was a demand made by Gentili’s mourning companions from the pulpit. There were reports of rowdy revelers dancing in the aisles to “Ave Maria,” with some even changing the verses to “Ave Cecilia.”
A portrait of Gentili was accompanied by captions including “mother,” “transvestite,” “whore,” and “blessed,” as well as verses from Psalm 25.
Catholics were outraged by the funeral because they thought Gentili’s loved ones were making light of their religion.
The Reverend Enrique Salvo said the congregation had been deceived into providing funeral services. Salvo expressed his disapproval of the shameful conduct.
In an interview with the New York Times, event planner Ceyenne Doroshow said that she was unaware Gentili identified as transgender.
In response, the rector announced “an appropriate Mass of Reparation” to close the message. He claims that Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who preside over the American branch of the Catholic Church, proposed the idea.
According to Rev. Salvo, the cathedral performed a restitution liturgy to make amends for the outrageous funeral.
This service is a form of “cleansing” for the church.
On social media, other religious authorities also voiced their condemnation of Gentili’s burial. X user Father Nicholas Gregoris blasted the event, describing it as a sacrilegious fiasco, and concluded that holding the ceremony in St. Patrick’s was a desecration of the nation’s most prominent Catholic Church.
