Subject: NY Community Rallies Behind Progressive Priest From: ww@blythe.org (Workers World Service) Date: Tue, 22 Jun 93 21:00:39 EDT Organization: NY Transfer News Collective Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit LATIN COMMUNITY RALLIES FOR PROGRESSIVE PRIEST By Rebeca Toledo New York On May 19, the Rev. Luis Barrios was suspended as pastor of St. Ann's Church, located in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx in New York City. He had held the post for only 18 months when the Episcopal diocese headed by Bishop Richard Grein pulled the rug out from under him. Barrios has been outspoken in his demand that the church serve the Latino community more. A native of Puerto Rico, he has often called for self-determination for his country and for an end to U.S. colonialism there. He has allowed the church to be a center for many progressive and cultural activities. Barrios has also performed same-sex unions in his church. He called the diocesan officials racist and homophobic. His progressive attitudes have been rewarded with a strong following. Since the day he was suspended, community activists have held daily protests in front of both St. Ann's Church and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the seat of the diocese. On May 30, people from the community disrupted mass at St. Ann's. They vowed to continue the disruptions until Barrios is reinstated. As of this writing, the priest has yet to receive a report on why he was suspended. He has demanded to meet with the bishop to clarify the situation, and has threatened a hunger strike until his demands are met. The diocese has claimed the suspension was due to many things. In fact, a different thing every day. First it was because Barrios was too "vocationally immature." Then it was because he allowed a former priest access to his church. Later it was that Barrios aligned himself with Puerto Rican nationalists. After that, it was because he blessed same-sex unions. Finally, the reason became his "authoritarian leadership style." Unlike many other parishes in the city, St. Ann's is financially dominated by the diocese. It has no independence. At any point, its funding can be cut. Grein has said he will not meet with Barrios as long as protests continue. However, on June 5, the community responded with a demonstration during a speech by the bishop at a conference on racism at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. After that, Barrios said he and the bishop would meet by June 9. The on-going protests have been characterized by their unity and militancy. One of the main placards reads in Spanish and English, "No More Racism! No More Homophobia!" This one demand speaks to the heart of why Barrios is being targeted. The fight to support Barrios is a heartening response that reveals the potential for a multinational, united front against right-wing attacks in New York City. -30- (Copyright Workers World Service: Permission to reprint granted if source is cited. For more information, contact Workers World, 55 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011. Via E-mail: ww@blythe.org) + Join Us! Support The NY Transfer News Collective + + We deliver uncensored information to your mailbox! + + Modem:718-448-2358 Fax:718-448-3423 E-mail: nyt@blythe.org +