![gay flag burning church gay flag burning church](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/newscms/2018_38/2570696/180918-resurrection-catholic-church-chicago-google-image-se-1213p.jpg)
We also prayed that the Lord would save the organisers. “Hallelujah!! We prayed at our prayer meeting on Tuesday night that this event would be cancelled. On his personal Facebook page Josh then shared the news article and commented: He simply posted: “Wonderful news!”Īsked by an online user why the news was wonderful, he responded saying “because I don’t think sin should be celebrated.” Answering further questions on his views he quoted from the book of John, James, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. On 13 August 2020, Josh responded to an article on a local news outlet’s Facebook page, which reported that this years’ Cornwall pride would be cancelled. Pastor Josh Williamson, 34, of Newquay Baptist Church, was warned by police to keep his views in a ‘safe environment’ after being targeted by a wave of anti-Christian abuse – including threats of violence and calls for his church to be burnt down.
![gay flag burning church gay flag burning church](https://abuwjaawap.cloudimg.io/v7/_lgbtqnation-assets_/assets/2016/09/Screen-Shot-2016-09-03-at-9.01.10-AM.png)
The discussion surrounding the flying of the flag at Ballyfermot Assumption follows a number of anti-LGBTI+ incidents so far during Pride month including graffiti outside Dublin's Pantibar and Pride flags being taken down and burned in Waterford.Devon and Cornwall Police have told a Christian pastor that if he offends the LGBT community he could be breaking the law after he posted a comment on a social media thread that welcomed the cancellation of a local gay pride event. She said that while Fr Egan is just one person who is part of a very large institution, change begins with brave acts by individuals. "I think a lot of people don't know whether or not their town is going to be supportive to the community until you see something like that," said Emma. She said it signifies the level of support for the community from the people of Ballyfermot. In contrast to the backlash Fr Egan's decision received online, Mr Doolan said it has led to a very positive discussion around inclusivity in the Ballyfermot community.Įmma, a resident of Ballyfermot and part of the LGBTQ+ community, says seeing the flag raised in Ballyfermot was very significant. "Our message is very clear: we are standing united, shoulder to shoulder, as a tolerant, welcoming community that supports diversity as is encapsulated in that wonderful rainbow flag," Mr Doolan told Newstalk's Lunchtime Live. Mr Doolan said Friday's family-friendly event, which will follow current Covid-19 restrictions, is being held to support both Fr Egan and the LGBTQ+ community. He said the flag being taken down is not a reflection on Fr Egan, the parish council or the Ballyfermot community. "We live in a diverse society and it needs to be respected, a tolerant society that needs to be reflected upon and I think that is what Fr Adrian was doing and I support him," said Mr Doolan. Local Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said it was a wonderful statement by Fr Egan to raise the flag alongside the tricolour to signify welcoming and support for all. When the flag was taken down a second post on the parish Facebook page said: "Just an effort by a parish pastoral council to say to our gay brothers and sisters, 'God loves you, your parish loves you, and you are welcome here'. Jesus turned nobody away and as long as I am the parish priest here, that will always be the case. All are welcome in this place".Īlthough, the flag has since been taken down, Fr Egan said the message remains the same. "Maybe just seeing them, it might become a visual sign from outside for them that they might feel 'I'm being remembered' or 'I'm being lifted up in god's house, maybe I am welcome there'."Īn image of the flag flying outside the church was shared on the parish Facebook page with the caption "God's house, your home.
![gay flag burning church gay flag burning church](https://www.crisismagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/shutterstock_1916795.jpg)
So, we decided that we have two flagpoles out there so we would put out two flags - the Irish flag and the rainbow flag," said Fr Egan. "We wondered was there anything we could do to send out a message to them that god loves them.
![gay flag burning church gay flag burning church](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/newscms/2016_35/1694076/160902_atlah_church.jpg)
Parish Priest Fr Adrian Egan spoke at mass on Sunday and said it is a sign that everyone is welcome.ĭuring a meeting of the parish council, Fr Egan said they were conscious that LGBTQ+ people living in the local community and their families had expressed their feelings of hurt and exclusion when it comes to the church.