BISHOP'S DENIAL OF CATHOLIC FUNERAL FOR SAN DIEGO GAY MAN A HEARTBREAKING DECISION

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-3278
E-mail: hrc [at] hrc.org
http://www.hrc.org
_________________________________

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 21, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 431-7608

Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 716-1637

HRC: BISHOP'S DENIAL OF CATHOLIC FUNERAL FOR SAN DIEGO GAY MAN A
HEARTBREAKING DECISION

"Our deepest sympathies and compassion go out to Mr. McCusker's partner
and family. They have not only suffered a terrible loss, but have been
turned away from the healing embrace of their church at this
extraordinarily difficult time," said Winnie Stachelberg

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign today decried the decision of
San
Diego Bishop Robert Brom denying funeral services to a local gay man,
John McCusker, at any one of San Diego's 98 area Catholic churches. In
an Associated Press story, Bishop Brom indicated that the decision was
made to avoid "public scandal" because McCusker, who died at 31 of
congestive heart failure last week, owned a gay dance club.

"Our deepest sympathies and compassion go out to Mr. McCusker's partner
and family. They have not only suffered a terrible loss, but have been
turned away from the healing embrace of their church at this
extraordinarily difficult time," said Winnie Stachelberg, vice
president
of the HRC Foundation. "Bishop Brom teaches Christian lessons of
compassion and forgiveness, but at the same time turns away a grieving
family."

After Bishop 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.

"I applaud the Episcopal bishop of San Diego and the Dean of Saint
Paul's Cathedral. It is entirely appropriate that John was given a
Christian burial," said the Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, Episcopal
Bishop
of Washington, D.C. "Owning a bar in which gay people feel comfortable
in no way condemns one to the fires of hell. St. Paul's includes gays
and lesbians fully in the sacramental life of the church, and I'm proud
to be associated with a community that offered such a compelling
witness
of Christian love."

"The real scandal, and inhumane act, is that Bishop Brom would not
deliver last rites to a human being, seemingly because he was gay,"
said
Rev. Cecil Williams, of Glide Church in San Fancisco, who is also a
member of HRC's Board of Directors. "It is Easter time, and that means
coming to new life. Let us hope that Bishop Brom will work to open up
to all people, and especially to members of his own church."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay,
bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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