Priest cancels ‘LGBT’ Christmas Mass after bishop reminds him that homosexual acts are ‘sinful’

HONG KONG, January 2, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – A priest in Hong Kong canceled a planned ‘LGBT’ Christmas Midnight Mass at the last minute after the diocese’ auxiliary bishop reminded him that homosexual acts are “sinful” and “serious violations of chastity.”

Auxiliary Bishop Rev. Joseph Ha, OFM, at the urging of Hong Kong Bishop Michael Yeung, investigated the planned event before speaking to the priest, according to a report in the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP).

Compassion HK LGBTQ Catholics Union, the group sponsoring the Mass, stated on Facebook that bishops in other countries permit LGBT Masses, so “Why is it that the two bishops of Hong Kong, are not willing to open mass for their followers on the basis of their sexuality?”

“The diocese will send priests to prisons to hold Mass for murderers, rapists and other criminals, and priests go to ‘red light districts’ to hold Mass for sex workers,” continued the Compassion HK LGBTQ Catholics Union Facebook posting. “Why do bishops only target homosexuals? Are homosexuals not fit to join in the annual celebrations on this peaceful and holy night of Jesus Christ’s birth?”

The LGBT group said that the bishops' actions were opposite those of Pope Francis with regard to homosexuality.

"This is not exactly what is taught by Pope Francis: 'If a man is gay, he seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge'" the group wrote on its facebook page.

But a diocesan statement cut through the claims of targeting and victimization and focused on the heart of the issue.

“Bishop Ha communicated with the relevant persons, and pointed out that the Catholic Church considers homosexual acts as serious violations of chastity,” said a diocesan spokesperson.

“If the relevant persons wish to receive the Holy Communion during mass, they must be sufficiently prepared, for example: They must have committed no serious sins (or must first conduct the rite of confession), must faithfully repent for any minor sins, and must fast for the previous hour before receiving the Holy Communion.”