Pro-Catholic Advocacy Group Demands Probe of Transgender Activist’s Funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
A pro-Catholic advocacy group is calling for an investigation into the organizers of a transgender activist’s funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, claiming they committed a “hate crime” by deceiving the church and desecrating the religious space. CatholicVote’s president, Brian Burch, sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleging that the organizers broke state law to hold the service.
The funeral for former sex worker Cecilia Gentili garnered more than 1,000 attendees, with mourners reportedly mocking Catholic faith and morals during the event. St. Patrick’s Cathedral officials claimed they were unaware of Gentili’s background before the service, and later conducted a “Mass of Reparation” to atone for the controversial ceremony.
Burch emphasized that the issue was not Gentili’s transgender identity, but the disrespectful behavior exhibited during the funeral. He argued that targeting an individual for trespassing on the basis of their religion is considered a hate crime under New York’s penal code.
While Gentili’s family denied any deception, the advocacy group GLITS insisted that the organizers had informed cathedral staff about Gentili’s work and community service. The controversy surrounding the funeral has sparked debate over the boundaries of religious practices and freedom of expression.
The attorney general’s office and GLITS have not responded to requests for comments on the matter. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a historic symbol of Catholicism in New York City, has faced criticism and scrutiny following the events of Gentili’s funeral.
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