Priest Gets Emotional Sendoff at Final Mass at Castro Church

Laughter, tears, and warm embraces were in evidence last Sunday at Most Holy Redeemer, an inclusive Catholic congregation in the Castro, as a priest gave his final Mass after reportedly being told he could no longer celebrate the rite.

A mix of LGBT and straight worshipers packed the sanctuary September 27 to celebrate Mass by Father Jack McClure, who has been a parochial vicar at Most Holy Redeemer for the past 15 months.

The service was the final one that McClure, 70, would be celebrating at the church. According to a September 22 story published in the National Catholic Reporter, McClure was told that he could no longer celebrate Mass at the church. The edict reportedly came from San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who has come under fire from the LGBT community for his opposition to same-sex marriage and to the ordination of women priests.

A few days earlier McClure had appeared on an all-male panel at the annual Women's Ordination Worldwide conference in Philadelphia. The other panelists, Tony Flannery, Roy Bourgeois, and Paul Collins, are all priests who were either excommunicated or forced to resign after they expressed support for women priests.

Although the Mass was a joyous celebration, a number of congregants said they were sorry to see McClure leave Most Holy Redeemer.

"It's a shame that his legacy is being cut short," said gay worshiper Joseph Fernicola, 49, who described McClure's legacy as uniting different kinds of people.

"He has a sense of open-mindedness and embraces new ideas," Fernicola added.

Fernicola also had a message for Cordileone.

"He should reconsider what he's done," Fernicola said. "He should think about what Jesus would do."

Kate Scherschel, 27, attended the Mass with her girlfriend.

"I really appreciate Father Jack's homilies," she said. "He's been a big part of my experience at Most Holy Redeemer. I admire his courage. We're all going to miss him."

McClure tried to comfort the congregation during his homily.

"I will always be a part of your life, and you will always be part of mine," he said. "I am privileged to have spoken God's words to you. You have enlightened me."

Members of the congregation signed a giant farewell card to McClure at the conclusion of the service.

"I'm very sorry about Father Jack being forced to leave," said congregant Richard Dunphy as he signed the card. "We are an inclusive church. I wonder why the archbishop can't be more inclusive. I wonder how often he listens to the Holy Father."

Mike Brown, the director of communications for the San Francisco Archdiocese, spoke to the Bay Area Reporter after the service. Brown said that McClure was told by Father Matthew Link, pastor at Most Holy Redeemer, not to attend the WOW conference. When McClure said that he would attend, he was asked to turn in his resignation, which he did prior to Sunday's service. According to Brown, Cordileone was informed by Link that McClure had resigned.

"Everyone in the church from the pope on down says that women priests is a closed issue," Brown told the B.A.R. "It is well accepted theological teaching that the priesthood is a male calling."

Link did not respond to a message seeking comment.

When he spoke to the B.A.R., McClure appeared to be at peace with what had happened.

"I appreciate very much the opportunity to have served at Most Holy Redeemer," he said. "The people are welcoming and inclusive. I'm grateful to have been included."

McClure said that he would be moving to Berkeley and would find a parish there where he would worship. "I'm open to invitations," he said. "I want to see how things unfold. I have no plans at this time."