In the U.S., a Roman Catholic priest celebrated a "Pride Mass" outside the Stonewall Inn

In New York, Chris Lawton, an assistant pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, led a service near the historic Stonewall Monument—the site that marked the beginning of the LGBT movement. The event sparked mixed reactions within the church community, sparking a debate about the limits of canon law and pastoral ministry, according toLife Site News.

During the event, Chris Lawton delivered a speech in which he stated that the Catholic Church has relied for centuries on the faith of “marginalized LGBT Catholics.” The priest offered a public apology to transgender believers, noting that they continue to face injustice both in society and within religious institutions. According to Lawton, this kind of ministry reflects the path followed by Jesus Christ.

However, the clergyman’s actions drew harsh criticism from experts. Father Philip-Michael Tangorra, a specialist in canon law, pointed out a violation of Canon 932.1, which stipulates that Mass outside a church must be celebrated exclusively in a “dignified place” (loco honesto). Tangorra emphasized that the Stonewall Monument does not meet these criteria, and he described holding a service on the street without a genuine necessity dictated by circumstances as an attempt to draw attention to himself for the sake of sensationalism.