BBC’s Gay Mass
BBC is producing a program that is equal parts inspiration and prophetic statement -a televised Mass for Shut-Ins – emotionally, spiritually and politically. It is a program that will shock, console, and comfort-all at the same time.
The BBC is to relay a “gay Mass” from San Francisco this Sunday, the first time such a service has been broadcast.
The 50-minute Mass at the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in the predominantly gay Castro district of the city will feature prayers and readings tailored for the gay community.
The church has been described as an “inspiration” to gay and lesbian Christians around the world because of its ministry to homosexuals. Its parish priest, Father Stephen Meriweather, blesses participants in the San Francisco’s annual gay pride march.
Father Donal Godfrey, the U.S. Jesuit priest celebrating the Mass, said he was delighted the BBC was “exploring how gay people fit into the perspective of the Christian narrative”.
“Being gay is not special,” he said. “It’s simply another gift from God who created us as rainbow people.”
The recording will go out at 8:10 AM to two million listeners on the BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship programme.
The preacher will be James Alison, a gay British Catholic theologian and author of “Faith Beyond Resentment.”
