Bad feelings over treatment of gay Catholics disrupt funeral

By Associated Press
March 17, 2016

LEWISTOWN, Mont. — Bad feelings that lingered since a Montana priest prevented two men in a civil union from participating in Mass at a Catholic church 18 months ago have re-emerged to disrupt the recent funeral of an elderly parishioner.

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings said Thursday that it was concerned with how the March 8 funeral of Pearl Valach, 92, was handled.

Valach, a lifelong member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, wanted a former priest to preside over her funeral and for the former choir director to sing.

The current priest, the Rev. Samuel Spiering, objected because the ex-choir director, Janie Shupe, was among about 40 people who left the church, along with two of Valach’s adult sons and the gay couple who refused to renounce their civil union.

http://www.cruxnow.com/life/2016/03/17/bad-feelings-over-treatment-of-gay-catholics-disrupt-funeral/

To paraphrase Paul, There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; there is no longer straight or gay, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Pray for us, Pearl.