Catholic Diocese Approves Funeral For Local Gay Man

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A funeral service for a gay parishioner that was initially canceled by a Catholic church will be allowed to take place, according to the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

Local businessman and devout Catholic John Sanfilippo died last week after struggling with emphysema. Friends said Sanfilippo planned for the funeral mass to be held at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Little Italy, where Sanfilippo had attended for decades. Friends said he even left the church a large sum of money in his will.

This weekend, Sanfilippo’s partner of 28 years and Sanfilippo’s family were notified that the church canceled the funeral because Sanfilippo was gay.

10news.com/news/28376902/detail.html
 
Devout Catholic?
Partner of 28 years?
2+2=5?

Doesn’t add up.

M
 
In that sense, he is no different to a married, heterosexual man who cheated on his wife having a funeral at a Catholic Church.

And for all we know, he may have repented as his last confession.
 
It’s up to the Bishops, who have the Authority, not internet posters.
 
(more) Scandal.

He may have repented. Given his long history of public sin then a private funeral would be called for I think…just like John Gotti. But I’m not a bishop and I won’t have to answer for this scandal…the bishop will be judged for his actions.

M
 
It’s heart breaking to read this story. The Church I believe has not concern with someone being gay, it’s the sexual act between same genders that is mortally wrong. The person should have been buried at the Church of his will.
 
And the talk of “scandal”. Said “scandal” only exists in those who choose to feel scandalized.
 
You know, I don’t particularly think this is anybody’s business. Its between the Church and the family, and that has been settled.
 
You know, I don’t particularly think this is anybody’s business. Its between the Church and the family, and that has been settled.
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***can I get an AMEN!

That is my thought on many, many things. Thank you!***
 
It puzzles me that funerals have become such a sticking point for some people.

A Catholic funeral is not the Church’s stamp of approval on the person for having lived a life of heroic virtue (that’s what canonizations are for). It’s simply the Church praying for the repose of the soul of one of Her members. We all need that!
 
LemonAndLime said:
In that sense, he is no different to a married, heterosexual man who cheated on his wife having a funeral at a Catholic Church.

And for all we know, he may have repented at his last confession.
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Exactly right on that last.

A married, heterosexual man who would have had a mistress, not just a fling, would have had the funeral without any trouble.

Glad the diocese stepped in, but a disgrace that it had to.
 
Rich_Olszewski said:
Exactly right on that last.

A married, heterosexual man who would have had a mistress, not just a fling, would have had the funeral without any trouble.

Glad the diocese stepped in, but a disgrace that it had to.
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The priest was only following canon law:
Can. 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:
1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;
2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;
3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.
§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.
Can. 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.
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Rich_Olszewski said:
Exactly right on that last.

A married, heterosexual man who would have had a mistress, not just a fling, would have had the funeral without any trouble.

Glad the diocese stepped in, but a disgrace that it had to.
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I disagree. Sanfilippo was a well known member of the “gay community,” owning a “gay” bar and generally holding himself out to not just practice, but endorse a lifestyle opposed to Church teaching.

If there was a married heterosexual man who was well known in the community for support of adultery, not merely practicing adultery, you can bet that Our Lady of the Rosary would have reacted in the same manner.
 
ringil said:
And the talk of “scandal”. Said “scandal” only exists in those who choose to feel scandalized.
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You make light of scandal, but it is a real danger and results in the loss of many souls. Like it or not, denial of a funeral would have sent an unambiguous message to the “homosexual community” that one cannot be a devout Catholic while engaging in such sins against nature.

Sadly, the diocese has now missed that opportunity to bear witness to the truth.
 
Is it any more or less of a scandal if the Catholic Church held the funeral of a convicted Catholic Priest from child molestation?

If so, the church I attend is guilty as charged.

In my opinion no! It’s between the deceased and God in both cases.
 
dontknow said:
Is it any more or less of a scandal if the Catholic Church held the funeral of a convicted Catholic Priest from child molestation?
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I disagree. The issue isn’t whether or not a sinner should receive a Catholic funeral. If that were the question then none of us would qualify. The question is should a persistent public sinner be given a public Catholic funeral Mass?

I don’t know the details of this priest you’re talking about but really the principle applies to anyone guilty of a public sin. If that person STOPS publicly sinning and repents then heaven will rejoice! If that was the case for this priest then there is no problem. However, there is no indication that this homosexual man stopped.

And the example of the man in adultery doesn’t fit either UNLESS the whole community knew about it. Then it would be a scandal because it was public knowledge.

I bet people would sing a different tune if this man’s sin was something other than homosexuality. What if the story read “devout Catholic and current Grand Knight of the KKK”? Would you support a funeral Mass then? My answer wouldn’t change.

M
 
Exactly right on that last.
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A married, heterosexual man who would have had a mistress, not just a fling, would have had the funeral without any trouble.
Click to expand...
Glad the diocese stepped in, but a disgrace that it had to.
Click to expand...

I agree w/ the above.​

If there was a married heterosexual man who was well known in the community for support of adultery, not merely practicing adultery, you can bet that Our Lady of the Rosary would have reacted in the same manner.
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I disagree w/ the above.
 
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