It’s easy to focus on the celebratory language throughout The New York Times report on the St. Patrick's Cathedral funeral for “Cecilia Gentili, a transgender activist and actress, former sex worker and self-professed atheist whose memorial functioned as both a celebration of her life and an exuberant piece of political theater.”

The next paragraph, written by a Times reporter who covers the “culture and politics of the New York City region,” noted:

Over 1,000 mourners, several hundred of whom were transgender, arrived in daring outfits — glittery miniskirts and halter tops, fishnet stockings, sumptuous fur stoles and at least one boa sewed from what appeared to be $100 bills. Mass cards and a picture near the altar showed a haloed Ms. Gentili surrounded by the Spanish words for “transvestite,” “whore,” “blessed” and “mother” above the text of Psalm 23.

From a journalism perspective, the most important fact was that the powerful Times feature photos were taken by a staff photographer. In other words, as we discussed during this week’s “Crossroads” podcast, the organizers of this drama cooperated with the press ahead of time.

The loved ones of the deceased said they were less than candid about Gentili's identity when requesting the funeral rite — a fact cited by cathedral leaders. Later, activists changed their tune and said they told cathedral clergy to research the basic facts about Gentili.

During the cyber-storm that followed, it was clear that clergy — facing that congregation — quickly cancelled the Eucharistic section of the rite to prevent clashes at the altar rail over who could and who could not receive Holy Communion. The Archdiocese of New York immediately scheduled a private Mass of Reparation (click here for Clemente Lisi’s report on this rite), suggesting that the cathedral had been spiritually attacked or even desecrated.

Catholic progressives attacked church leaders for criticizing those who gathered to celebrate the life of Gentili. Some Catholic conservatives claimed that cathedral clergy could have cancelled the funeral, even after it started, or silenced speakers as they delivering eulogies and prayers that included off-color language or attacks on Catholicism.

But here is a question from the podcast worth pondering: Would New York City police or city authorities have protected the church if the clergy had attempted to end the service and clear the sanctuary?

Enjoy the podcast!