NY Archdiocese condemns trans activist funeral held in St. Patrick's Cathedral

The Archdiocese of New York on Saturday condemned the funeral of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili, which was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral earlier in the week, citing the language used during prayers and eulogies it said mocked the Catholic faith.

In a statement released Saturday, Rev. Enrique Salvo said:

Thanks to so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behavior at a funeral here at St. Patrick's Cathedral earlier this week. The Cathedral only knew that family and friends were requesting a funeral Mass for a Catholic, and had no idea our welcome and prayer would be degraded in such a sacrilegious and deceptive way. That such a scandal occurred at 'America's Parish Church' makes it worse; that it took place as Lent was beginning, the annual forty – day struggle with the forces of sin and darkness, is a potent reminder of how much we need the prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season invites us.

"At the Cardinal's directive, we have offered an appropriate Mass of Reparation," Salvo said.

Gentili's family called Salvo and "the Church" in general "hypocrites" for their words against Gentili's funeral mass, which reportedly packed the giant church.

"We brought precious life and radical joy to the Cathedral in historic defiance of the Church's hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred," Gentili's family said.

They claimed to "bestow sainthood" to Gentili for all the ways she helped the trans community, including some homeless individuals and others who needed medical care. "The only deception present at St. Patrick's Cathedral is that it claims to be a welcoming place for all," they said.