St Patrick’s Holds Reparation Mass After ‘Scandalous Behavior’ During Service For Trans Icon

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City held a rare Mass of Reparation on Saturday after the N.Y. Archdiocese said mourners at a funeral service last week for trans icon Cecilia Gentili engaged in “scandalous behavior.”

The Very Rev. Enrique Salvo, St. Patrick’s pastor, said Cardinal Dolan’s request the Mass, which was to pray for forgiveness for what some Catholics considered a desecration of the historic Midtown Manhattan church.

The archdiocese said the church took issue with the actions of the mourners, not  Gentili’s sexual identity.

Attendees reportedly wore racy outfits and cursed openly at the podium while paying tribute to Gentili – a renowned trans activist and author former sex worker and actress.

They also reportedly jokingly identified Gentili as a “saint” and changed the lyrics to some Catholic songs to honor the LGBTQ advocate.

“Thanks to so many who have let us know they share our outrage over the scandalous behavior at a funeral here,” Salvo said. “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.”