Bishop's Apology, Reversal a Positive Step

by HRC Staff •

'Admitting mistakes is an act of great courage and an important moral responsibility,' said HRC's Winnie Stachelberg.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today commended San Diego Bishop Robert Brom for his apology and reversal in refusing to perform Catholic funeral rites for John McCusker. Last week, as reported in The Associated Press, Brom denied rites to McCusker in order to avoid &quotpublic scandal&quot because the man owned a gay nightclub.

&quotAdmitting mistakes is an act of great courage and an important moral responsibility,&quot said Winnie Stachelberg, vice president of the HRC Foundation. &quotWe hope that Mr. McCusker's family comes to a place of understanding with their faith and are able to find healing and solace in their time of need.

&quotIt is encouraging that the bishop recognizes the importance of faith in all peoples' lives. We hope the McCusker family now will find the solace they need in the arms of their church,&quot continued Stachelberg.

After Brom's blanket denial of Catholic funeral rites, arrangements were made for services to be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in San Diego over the weekend. The service was attended by more than 500 family, friends and community members.



WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today commended San Diego Bishop Robert Brom for his apology and reversal in refusing to perform Catholic funeral rites for John McCusker. Last week, as reported in The Associated Press, Brom denied rites to McCusker in order to avoid "public scandal" because the man owned a gay nightclub.

"Admitting mistakes is an act of great courage and an important moral responsibility," said Winnie Stachelberg, vice president of the HRC Foundation. "We hope that Mr. McCusker's family comes to a place of understanding with their faith and are able to find healing and solace in their time of need.

"It is encouraging that the bishop recognizes the importance of faith in all peoples' lives. We hope the McCusker family now will find the solace they need in the arms of their church," continued Stachelberg.

After Brom's blanket denial of Catholic funeral rites, arrangements were made for services to be held at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in San Diego over the weekend. The service was attended by more than 500 family, friends and community members.

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