Cardinal Joseph Zen, emeritus bishop of Hong Kong, recently published a message after learning about the events of the organized entry by LGBTQ+ activists through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica during the Jubilee Year, and thus joins the call from several bishops who have convened acts of reparation for the offense committed.
He exhorts the faithful to join in prayer, fasting, and good works. The cardinal offers a prayer of reparation that places at the center the defense of the faith, the sanctity of the Eucharist, and fidelity to the Gospel in the face of those who attempt to subvert it.
We leave below the full message (and translated) from Cardinal Zen:
I saw the news a few days ago: The LGBTQ+ Organization organized an event to enter the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome during the Holy Year.
They raised objects with rainbow colors, wore clothing with slogans, and even saw same-sex couples holding hands enthusiastically. It was nothing more than a protest. It was not a Jubilee pilgrimage (renewal of baptismal vows, confession of sins, and commitment to amendment). It was a grave insult to the Catholic faith and to the dignity of St. Peter’s Basilica, and, in turn, a grave offense to God!
It is hard for us to understand that the Vatican knew about this action in advance and made no condemnation afterward!
Of course, we respect and care for people with same-sex sexual orientation. They are our brothers and sisters.
They face additional difficulties in interpersonal relationships. If they are not Christians, we can avoid discussions and misunderstandings and maintain friendship. However, if they are Catholics, we must assume that they understand, as we do, from Scripture and Tradition, that homosexual conduct is incompatible with God’s plan for humanity. If they have difficulty understanding this, we must help them with love to understand it and strive to maintain a friendly relationship. However, we cannot tell them that that lifestyle is perfect.
We are not God. God wants us to convey to them what Jesus taught us. That is the true way to love them. It helps them obtain grace through prayer and the sacraments, to resist temptation, to live a chaste life, and to walk the path to heaven.
I saw news that four bishops [Bishop Athanasius Schneider (Kazakhstan); Bishop Marian Eleganti (Switzerland); Bishop Robert Mutsaerts (Netherlands); and Bishop Joseph Strickland (USA)] have issued a statement asking everyone to ask forgiveness from God and do penance for this blasphemous act (Act of Reparation). I strongly support this statement.
I suggest to all brothers and sisters that after the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, they should also gather with their neighboring Catholic companions for three days to recite the attached scriptures and perform a good act of self-denial or help others, offering penance before God for their brothers and sisters who have committed errors.