[San Francisco] City officials are no-shows at S.F. Mass for pope

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 4/10/5 | Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

Nothing like Pope John Paul II's death to turn up the tensions between San Francisco's Roman Catholic Archdiocese and City Hall.

At issue: Not a single elected city official showed up at Tuesday night's memorial Mass for the pope at St. Mary's Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop William Levada and attended by more than 3,500 people.

"Although specifically invited by phone and fax, no elected city officials were present -- not the mayor, not one member of the Board of Supervisors,'' archdiocese rep George Wesolek wrote in a scathing e-mail to all the elected. "None sent staff to represent them. Only Mayor (Gavin) Newsom and Supervisor Aaron Peskin bothered to send regrets.''

And another thing, Wesolek added: "I hope that this lack of response, and, quite frankly, this lack of respect, is not indicative of an aggressively hostile unwritten policy by city officials to turn a biased and even bigoted eye toward the Catholic Church and Catholic fellow citizens.''

[SmithL]

Given this city's history, it's probably just as well. Former politboro member supervisor, Rev. Amos Brown could give a rant similar to his post 9/11 speech, screaming, "Pope John Paul, what have you done to deserve this?"

[AlexW]

It was probably prime time at the bathhouse, ya know.

[Steely Tom]

Maybe they were over at the Church of Glide, or whatever it's called.

(steely)

[freekitty]

It just shows how very stupid some people can be. No wonder the libs are being left behind. They can't see past their noses.

[Publius6961]

Why is this news?

[nothingnew]

"Not a single elected city official showed up at Tuesday night's memorial Mass for the pope at St. Mary's Cathedral,.....None sent staff to represent them. Only Mayor (Gavin) Newsom and Supervisor Aaron Peskin bothered to send regrets.''

Not surprising at all. No representatives from Sodom or Gomorrah were present either.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Clara Lou]

Why is this news?
So we can all remember.

[Pete98]

Because it shows how hateful, vicious and narcissistic liberals are, and because five years ago we wouldn't have seen it reported anywhere.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The "leadership" of San Francisco does not belong to our society.(In this case they do not belong for moral reasons as they are vice addicts). This lack of common courtesy is what happens when the Sudra is allowed to ascend into positions of authority!

[Mark was here]

It was probably prime time at the bathhouse, ya know.

They were sing "Glory Hallelujah" at the old Glory hole!

[hosepipe]

I was not there either..
Maybe they were not Roman Catholics..
When Roman Catholics don't show, then you've got a weak gripe..
How many Roman Catholics were absent?.. was there a count.?.

[madprof98]

And Newsom, a Catholic who met the pope three times, said he was "frustrated'' he couldn't make the Mass but had another event to attend.

The fact that Gavin Newsom is among the "faithful" reveals the true state of the Catholic Church in that part of the country. The buildings are nice--though the libs would dearly love to tear down the old missions and plow salt into the earth where they stood.

[freeangel]

Wouldn't showing up have been rather hypocritical? Somehow, I think so. And they certainly don't depend on true Catholics for their votes.

[ClaireSolt]

This was a staunchly Catholic town in the 1960's. I imagine Catholic power is still there. When will they stop holding their noses to vote Democratic?

[SmithL]

Here's everything you need to know about SF's attitude towards religion in general, and the Catholic Church in particular:
San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

[unkus]

Any normal people who live in San Francisco must be crazy.

[SmithL]

My apologies if I offended any Catholics in San Francisco. I know there are real Catholics in San Francisco. However, "Official" San Francisco is much more comfortable with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence than with any real church.

[Havoc]

Excuse me; but, why do the administrators of the city need to pay respects to a religious leader? I'm not a protestant or a Catholic; but, I don't remember the City Leaders of San Fran
paying respects when Lester Summerall died. Nor do I imagine they'll have cause to when Billy Graham dies. In short, who cares. You might as well rant that certain democrats didn't pay their respects to Reagan when he died. The pope is a religious leader, not a head of state. And the world is not obligated to him or to your religion in any way. People pay respect where there is both a reason and familiarity on which to base it appropriately.

[Havoc]

Very good question!

[hosepipe]

[ This was a staunchly Catholic town in the 1960's. I imagine Catholic power is still there. When will they stop holding their noses to vote Democratic? ]

I suspect its not their noses they're grasping..