Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Backtracking: No, Yes, Maybe we can bury you
Jax
SAN DIEGO – The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego apologized Monday to the family of gay nightclub owner John McCusker, less than a week after decreeing that McCusker couldn't have a Catholic burial because of his "business activities," according to a statement released by McCusker's family.
In a stunning twist to a controversy that has created an uproar in the San Diego gay and Catholic communities, Bishop Robert Brom also promised to preside at a mass in memory of McCusker at The Immaculata Catholic church on the campus of the University of San Diego.
It was only last week that the bishop forced The Immaculata to cancel McCusker's funeral, declaring that no parish within the diocese, which includes San Diego and Imperial Counties, could hold a Catholic funeral for him.
At the time, the diocese released a statement saying Bishop Brom took the action because McCusker's "business activities...were contrary to Sacred Scripture and the moral teaching of the Church."
McCusker owned a gay bar and Club Montage, a hugely popular nightclub with a large gay clientele.
In a statement released by McCusker's family Monday night, the bishop was quoted as saying: "I deeply regret that denying a Catholic funeral for John McCusker at the Immaculata has resulted in his unjust condemnation, and I apologize to the family for the anguish this has caused them." (Link)
