Iraq War protesters disrupt Easter Mass at Holy Name-Chicago

March 23 -- Six members of the anti-war group "Catholic Schoolgirls Against The War" staged a dramatic die-in during the 11AM Easter mass at Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago's most prominent Catholic parish -- and the home of one of the nation's most conservative church leaders, Cardinal Francis George

The action was staged in the Gold Coast cathedral's parish center, an auditorium where mass is being said while the main cathedral undergoes renovation. Easter services at Holy Name are traditionally one of the most heavily attended masses of the year, and this mass was no exception, with people packed wall to wall for today's Easter morning holiday service.

The group of young men and women, dressed in their Easter best, sat through the 11AM mass until George reached the homily. A few seconds into the cardinal's main holiday message, the protesters rose from their seats, turned to address the thousands of parishioners in the auditorium, and talked about the continuing death of both Iraqis and Americans in Iraq as the war enters its sixth year. The group also decried George's January 7 meeting with Mayor Daley and President Bush.
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/81819/index.php

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[jokerswildnyc]

Protesting in a Catholic Church, which has been against the war since it began. They make the anti-war movement look bad.

[tonidi21]

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

[potatochipsunsalted]

I guess I see both sides, I definitely agree with you two but I think that maybe this was the wrong way to do it. Its only going to get people pissed at you and they're not going to listen to anything you say. And while I believe you should be able to protest anyway you want I also think there is definitely a right time and a right place.

[evansville70]

I heard that they were charged with a felony. If that is true then ha ha that will haunt them the rest of their life. This is what happens when you try to be cool.

[choidj]

I don't get it, why would they randomly go up to a church that says peace and yell at them for peace? Obviously the Catholics want to end the war. Why protest to the Catholics?

[StCopiaz]

I think for Christians, a stance for peace is something all of us need to fight for. Our churches are places of worship, and If we use the pulpit to encourage war, then we as the congregants should speak out against such behaviour, even if it is in the presece of Jesus.

Jesus fought for peace and truth, his crucifixion and glorious ressurection is proof of it. I think to arrest them was not the christian thing to do, what happened to forgiveness?let us pray for the Bishop and people like him

[piefrance]

lamarridley - I agree. And how truly sad for the parishoners to "boo" this group of young people & for the security guard to tell them to "get over themselves". People find comfort in believing that they are saved - that God will chose them, and all the while they miss every opportunity in this life to be a good Christian & to lead by example.

[19lfm12]

This protest was NOT aimed at the Catholic faith, nor was sacriledge intended. No - the correct target, Cardinal George, was chosen. He is up to his ass along with the other US bishops in enabling the Iraq war. The ppl in the pews are just too spiritually blind to see the pain & misery which war causes.

Indeed - the church's hands are soiled with blood!

Bravo!

[lamarridley2]

I Am Catholic...And I Am proud That Some Of Us Still See War As Murder...May God Bless These Young People.And All Who Will Stand For Peace. It Is Time The Church Should Wash The Blood From Her Hands.

[wharfrat89]

In this hectic world i need god in my life....I don't care what anyone says....In my opinion as long as there remains no answer to the question "Why is there something rather than nothing?" there will always be a God in my heart....These flaming liberals need to keep their protests to themselves...If i saw them do that in a church i would have gone up to them knocked them on their ass.

[aajoeyjo]

Cool. Anyone wants to disrupt a church service I'm happy with that! Religion is a scam, and if the Pope calls for peace, he's a big fat liar. The entire religion of Christianity is at war, with itself and other religions, as well as reality and nature.

[Drachefeuerzwei]

It wasn't right for them to protest in that way. You have every right to protest what you want but not when you vandalise a place. This is why I dislike radicals on any side of an issue. They always fling themselves into their ideas without hinking things through.