A scandal-plagued diocese in Italy is involved in hosting a drag show directly after Mass as part of celebrations for St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
On August 31 a drag show performance is scheduled to take place as part of an event organized by the local Catholic parish and with the approval of the diocese.
At 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon Bishop Erio Castellucci, who leads both the Archdiocese of Modena-Nonantola and the Diocese of Carpi, will celebrate Mass in the Multiverse Park at Rovereto sulla Secchia.
Then, at 6:30 p.m., a drag show performance will take place alongside other acts, including bike displays and food stalls.
Details of the event – highlighted by traditionalist Catholic blog Messa in Latino (MIL) – were initially listed and promoted on the diocesan website. Following MIL’s initial report the diocese removed the listing of the drag show from its site.
In its play is listed “evening show ‘extras’” on the website.
However, an Instagram post promoting the weekend’s festivities still clearly shows the drag performance as part of the Sunday evening line-up.
The annual festival is orchestrated by the local Catholic parish and, as such, has oversight from the diocese. Diocesan involvement is clear from the level of input Castellucci has, not only in offering Mass but also in
Outrage at the drag show has prompted a Catholic political party, Popolo della Famiglia, to protest with the Diocese of Carpi directly.“The faithful are disoriented and we hope that it is just a mistake or an underestimation, but one thing is certain: this show must be canceled now,” said spokesman Mirko De Carli.
The drag show is “an offensive choice for the faithful and which has nothing to do with the spiritual dimension of the evening, especially given the presence of His Excellency,” De Carli added.
The diocese has not yet replied to LifeSiteNews’ request for comment, and the local parish blocked the phone number of Catholic outlet La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana (NBQ) when they rang for comment.
However, the diocese did state to local media on August 20 that it had not been “informed about the programming of the Drag Queen show,” despite details of the show appearing on the diocesan website.
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