New York Archdiocese denounces transgender activist's funeral, holds Mass of Reparation

The funeral of a renowned transgender activist in a New York cathedral elicited a denunciation of the event by a senior church official, who called the mass a scandal within one of the preeminent houses of worship in U.S. Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of Cecilia Gentili in Manhattan's St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday. Gentili, who died on Feb. 6 at age 52, was known as a leading advocate for transgender people, sex workers and people with HIV. The Rev. Enrique Salvo, pastor of Saint Patrick’s, says the cathedral only knew of a request for a Catholic funeral mass and has denounced behavior at the event. More than 1,000 celebrants chanted Gentili's name, applauded, sang and offered praise for the LGBTQ+ community leader.