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I think his memory should be honoured - canonisation may be a bit too much. Certainly, what makes him distinct is his work as a Catholic priest, not his being gay. It is despicable for the radical gay activists to try and hijack this and make it appear that being gay is next to being a saint.

Regards, Ivan

I think his memory should be honoured - canonisation may be a bit too much.

I agree. Are people just a little 'hysterical' in the wake of September 11 seeking a canonisation for Fr. Michael? I mean, would there have been any suggestion of a canonisation for him had he not died in the Twin Towers?

As for the 'gay' issue. Well, again I agree. The man lived a celibate lifestyle as a Franciscan cleric. Whether he was homosexual or heterosexual is irrelevant, he chose to live a life where he would not ever act on his sexual preferences.

He was praying in the lobby of the north tower for the firefighters and civilians trapped by the flames when he died.

Does the Times have its facts straight? My recollection is that he was praying for or giving last rights to somebody just outside the building when something fell on him.

From "First Things," October 2002, p.106:

"You know about Father Mychal Judge, the gay priest who was killed giving the last rites to fallen firefighters at the World Trade Center?"

"No you don't. Fr. Mychal was not homosexual, never mind, as has been endlessly repeated in the media, "openly gay." He was a faithful celibate priest noted for his heroic service to all in need. The story of his being gay is a total fabrication of homosexual activists and their friends in the press."

"So says Dennis Lynch, a lawyer who was a close friend and collaborator of Fr. Mychal's who knew him for ten years and has gone to the trouble of interviewing scores of others who worked with him closely. All of them agree that the legend of "the gay prest" is nothing but propaganda."

"As you might expect, there are those who persist in claiming that they know Fr. Judge was gay. I don't know what to believe, but I have talked with Mr. Lynch and find his argument persuasive. For further information he can be reached at deallaw@aol.com."

--Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things, Otober 2002.

It's a well-known tactic of the Gaystapo to proclaim a famous person "gay" after they're dead and can no longer defend themselves from such slander. They have no credibility themselves, so they're forced to glom onto that of others. Much like Sick Willie.