The Buffalo Diocese abruptly canceled an upcoming concert at St. Joseph Cathedral that was to feature performances by the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus and five other choral groups.
A diocese spokesman issued a statement to The News on Monday afternoon stating that the cathedral will not host the concert because one of the choirs set to perform “is a group whose values are inconsistent with Catholic teaching.” The spokesman confirmed that the choir referenced in the statement is the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has offered its sanctuary on Main Street for the Summer Choir Festival, which had been scheduled for 5 p.m. June 9 in the cathedral.
The festival was organized and planned for months by Greater Buffalo Friends of Music.
Tim Socha, artistic director of Greater Buffalo Friends of Music and music director at the cathedral, on Wednesday notified participating choral groups of the cancellation.
Socha told The News that the diocese’s decision prompted him to resign from his post at the cathedral after more than 17 years.
“I just find it totally unacceptable,” he said.
Socha said he anticipated maybe a “few voices” might object to a gay chorus singing in a Catholic church but never figured it would lead to the concert being canceled.
“It just should not be a problem,” he said. “It’s just singing, and two songs at that. I mean, good heavens.”
Socha said the Rev. Sean Paul Fleming supported the free concert, and the cathedral helped send out 8,000 postcards inviting community members.
“He objected to this decision very strenuously but was overruled,” said Socha.
Robert Strauss, artistic director for the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, said he and other members of the organization were angered and disappointed by the cancellation but also buoyed by the community support they received in the wake of the cancellation.
“There’s a huge number of Catholics who are chiming in to say,…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply