Protesters have vowed to stop the "sacrilegious gay masses" at St Joseph's church in inner-Sydney Newtown, saying the parish's mass undermines Catholic teaching on "human love and the family". But parish priest Father Peter Maher said "there is nothing in the Catholic faith that says gays and lesbians don't have rights to take communion", according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
The protesters, who rallied support via a Facebook page, gathered at the church on Friday evening, according to the report.
Father Maher said the weekly 8pm mass was a normal service where gay and lesbian parishioners were welcome. It is advertised on the website of Acceptance Sydney, a gay Catholic group.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell was initially concerned the service was being promoted as a "gay mass" but after a discussion with Father Maher, gave it his support.
Cardinal Pell said: "Everyone is welcome to attend any public Mass."
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