Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Today in Philadelphia Repent America protests annual homosexual celebration, "OutFest 2005"

We must fight against the moral relativism of our age. Truth is never relative but ever constant. Truth reflects the very nature of God.

As followers of Christ we are to follow the laws of the Lord and point others toward them. We are to point others to Jesus---the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are called to lead those who do not know Him toward He Who is the Ultimate Truth.

And, when Jesus encounters us in our sin, He, because of His great love for us, does convict us of whatever sin we are indulging in. Even when we are transgressing His law, He does not condemn us (to damnation). He calls us to repentence.

This homily from Fr. Raymond Suriani entitled, "The woman caught in adultery: convicted but not condemned,"an exegesis of John 8:1-11 (NIV) from the Fifth Sunday of Lent (C), given on April 1, 2001 at St. Pius X Church, Westerly, R.I., makes this important distinction between being convicted of sin or being condemned (to Hell).

Because God loves the sinner yet hates the sin, we who love God and our neighbor must follow in His footsteps. We must stand against---but, with a loving opposition---those who would and do promote sin within our culture.

Repent America is taking such a stand against the annual homosexual celebration, "OutFest 2005," today in Philadelphia. May we pray and stand with them as they courageously fight against this evil:

Repent America

CHRISTIANS COMING OUT ON SUNDAY DESPITE THREATS OF VIOLENCE

10/6/05

PHILADELPHIA - On Sunday, October 9, Repent America (RA) will be coming out to minister the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ and to take a stand against the public celebration of sin at "OutFest 2005," an annual homosexual celebration in the public streets of Philadelphia. Despite threats of violence by a militant group of homosexuals, this will be the first year that the Christians with RA will return after being arrested, jailed for 21 hours, and charged with a hate crime for evangelizing at last year's festival.

At the event last year, six men and five women with Repent America were approached by a militant group of homosexuals calling themselves the "Pink Angels". This group was formed by Chuck Volz, a homosexual attorney and senior adviser to Philly Pride Presents, Inc. Philly Pride Presents organize "OutFest" each year, receiving $22,500 from the City of Philadelphia for such events. Upon arrival, the "Pink Angels" blocked access to RA by forming a human chain, refusing to allow the Christians to walk down the public sidewalk. Police intervention only occurred after a elderly woman was attempting to get to her home in the area.

While on the public sidewalk and street inside the event, RA began to open-air preach with the use of Scripture banners, and to distribute Gospel literature, as members of the "Pink Angels" blew loud whistles and carried large signs alongside the Christians to block their message and their access to the event attendees, while others screamed obscenities. The police refused to take action as the Christians were continuously followed, obstructed, and harassed.

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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 7:01 PM