The weekly Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church was the subject of periodic complaints to the archdiocese. But until last Sunday, the local hierarchy had declined to shut it down. A handful of local priests sympathetic to the gay and lesbian community had conducted the Mass.

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú, the interim head of the archdiocese, told church officials the Mass conflicted with Catholic teaching because it was offered for the gay Catholic advocacy group, Dignity San Antonio. Part of the national organization, DignityUSA, it seeks the acceptance of alternative lifestyles in the Catholic Church.

"The Mass … continues to send conflicting messages about the Church's official teaching concerning the proper celebration of the Eucharist and living an active homosexual lifestyle," Cantú wrote in an Oct. 13 letter to the St. Ann pastor, Father John Restrepo.

Condemns prejudice

While Cantú set the termination date for five days later, he also condemned any prejudice or hate against gay people and urged worshippers to attend Masses as part of the broader Catholic community.

Cantú was out of the country Friday and unavailable for comment, an archdiocesan spokesman said. Restrepo did not return phone calls Friday.

Last Sunday was the final Mass for Dignity.

"Our faith teaches us that the Church is a community of people, not a building," said local Dignity President Fred Anthony Garza. "So we will continue to meet in a more welcoming environment."

The Mass has been a delicate issue in the diocese for at least a couple of decades.

Advocates for conservative reforms prodded past archbishops José Gomez and Patrick Flores to crack down on the Mass, contending that doing nothing was a sign of giving into secular culture.

'Personal … unexpected'

Advocates for the Mass concede that alternative lifestyles conflict with Catholic teachings, but argue that the Mass was an act of compassion for a Catholic community wanting to worship free of prejudice.

"We need to provide good preaching and good teaching to this community," said Father Eddie Bernal, one of several local priests to conduct the Mass. "I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life in Dignity. They've changed my life for the better. And I've learned so much."

Dignity officials said they will pursue an appeal with the incoming archbishop, Chicago Bishop Gustavo García-Siller, when he takes over duties in San Antonio next month.

"The decision was highly personal and unexpected," said Dignity's Garza. "It meant hurt. It means rejection. It means one more thing is compromised in our lives."

alevy@express-news.net