The Rev. Mark Collins compares responses from Episcopal Church Bishop Andrew Dietsche and one from Roman Catholic Church Bishop Timothy Dolan during Pride Month and about the rise of anti-gay violence in New York,:
Recently, New York City has experienced a sharp spike in anti-gay violence. The most egregious example is the brutal murder of Mark Carson in May of this year. Naturally, Pride Month events will be both saddened and inspired by this senseless event.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, has issued a new bulletin insert to be included in the service leaflets and bulletins used in Sundays in most Roman Catholic parishes. The insert urges parishioners to pray and advocate to influence upcoming Supreme Court cases that might extend LGBT rights. Dolan’s timing is focussed on the Supreme Court calendar and, not surprisingly, completely ignores Pride Month and Carson’s murder.
The Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, takes another tack. Bishop Dietsche issued a pastoral letter on the eve of Pride Month condemning the surge in anti-gay violence in his diocese and condemning the Carson murder. Dietsche’s letter urged a different approach for Episcopalians during the upcoming month of June.
Dolan’s bulletin insert is here.
Dietsche’s letter is here.