MANILA, Philippines – The presence of cross-dressing homosexuals during Santacruzan processions may be a sure crowd drawer, but Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales says he is not amused.
Rosales said during yesterday’s Radio Veritas interview that he is against the practice of some Santacruzan organizers that recruit gays or homosexuals to join in the annual religious procession.
He clarified that he is not mad at the homosexuals, but is angry at their actions that tend to ridicule the religious tradition.
The 75-year-old Cardinal said the Church is offended that the Santacruzan, which is a Marian procession held in the country every month of May, is mocked by allowing gays to wear gowns and parade themselves around the community.
Instead of giving praises to the Virgin Mary, Rosales said they are ruining the devotion. He added that he personally witnessed homosexuals in a procession.
He immediately called the hermana mayor, the organizer, and reprimanded her. He then issued a circular directing his priests not to celebrate Masses in communities that allow gays to join in religious processions. “Sorry but you have to fall in line. The sacred must remain sacred.
“The procession is religious. (But) what the (parishes) do is organize a parade. That is an insult to the Blessed Mother,” the Cardinal said.
Apart from holding processions, devotees to the Blessed Virgin Mary would also traditionally offer flowers.
Nowadays, Santacruzan is treated like a beauty pageant where the most beautiful woman in the community is chosen as the Reyna Elena.