News

Image
An example of the parish's "LGBT" outreach.

The diocese of Atlanta has confirmed to LifeSiteNews that an historic Atlanta Catholic parish recently took part in the city’s annual homosexual activist parade, and has done so “numerous” times in the past.

The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception advertised the October 12 Atlanta Pride Parade in its bulletin, inviting parishioners to join in the march, and published a bulletin thank-you to those who took part, including pictures.

The shrine, which boasts of being the first Catholic Church built in Atlanta, is also listed as a parade participant on the Atlanta Pride website.

Image
The bulletin announcement encouraging parishioners to participate in the gay pride parade.

The parish has an ongoing Pride Outreach, which maintains a booth at the homosexual festival each year. The parish also offers GLBT potluck socials to promote “a connectedness within the Shrine GLBT community,” and GLBT couples potluck socials, which are “for GLBT couples who are in committed relationships for couple support by providing a venue for socializing with other GLBT couples,” according to the parish website.

In a statement to LifeSiteNews the archdiocese said that the group did not need the archbishop’s approval to march in the parade.

“Members of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception have participated in the event for many years before Archbishop Gregory became the archbishop of Atlanta,” Patricia M. Chivers Director of Communications and Advocacy for the archdiocese told LifeSiteNews. “It was not necessary for the parish to have the Archbishop’s approval to participate since it is a local event.” 

Image
A photo of parishioners at the Atlanta gay pride parade.

“They had a banner that read “The Host of God for all God’s People – All are welcome in this place – Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,” she said. “And a few members had signs that read “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

The parish did not respond to LifeSiteNews’ request for details and comment.