The Rainbow Sash Movement (GLBT Catholics) recognizes the harm our Church is doing to GLBT Community, and ask for forgiveness: additionally, we ask forgiveness for sitting on our hands at times. We are not a militant group, but we are ready to be fools for Christ. It is in that capacity we call on all GLBT/Straight Catholics to enter Cathedrals and Parishes on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005 as sign of hope by wearing the Rainbow Sash. We in the Catholic Church have been removed for to long from the Civil Rights Movement of GLBT person. Our social justice history calls us to this civil rights movement.

We have also been silent around the issue of Women’s Ordination, we ask our sisters in the Church to forgive us. Going forward we will call for a free and open debate on this issue. We support women’s ordination. We also call on our sisters to enter Cathedrals and Parishes with us and wear the Purple Sash as a symbol of women's ordination.

Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005 will be for us a time to say we love both our Church and Community, and a call for healing on many levels. The fundamentalist wing of the Catholic Church has threatened opposition to our presence. We believe this has been fueled by the actions of Cardinal Francis George of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Whatever the outcome we come to a place before God as open and honest GLBT/Straight Catholics, no threats of opposition will stop us. We call on Straight Catholics and our religious communities of Brothers and Sisters to pray for us on Pentecost Sunday, and to stand with us if they can as sign of solidarity.

Certainly these are difficult times in the Church many are confused and frustrated. The Holy Spirit has a purpose, this is our belief. Let us come together as Catholics to stand for what is good in the Church, and as brothers and sisters in Christ.

We support the call of Vatican II for renewal in our Church. We will no longer hide in our closets; we will no longer allow our own personal comfort to outweigh the needs of our community. We will no longer be silent. This is our pledge to both our Church and our Community.

As we go forward to Pentecost Sunday we put our faith in the Holy Spirit, and say yes to Love, Hope, Charity, and Inclusiveness. We invite you to join us, and if you can’t join us we ask for your prayers.