On January 8, San Francisco's notoriously pro-homosexual mayor, Gavin Newsom, was inaugurated into his second term of office, highlighting in his inauguration address his support for so-called "San Francisco values," including "equal marriage rights".
Gavin Newson is well known to pro-family advocates for his vociferous promotion of homosexuality, as well as his self-labeled Catholicism. Most notoriously, in 2004 Mayor Newsom authorized city clerks to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples. The California Supreme Court was later forced to order San Francisco to cease issuing licenses to homosexual couples, and to void the thousands of licenses that had already been issued.
On January 7, the California Catholic Daily reported that it was Newsom's intention to attend Mass on the morning of his inauguration. "Given his record, it is difficult to understand why Newsom would choose a Catholic church – or why any Catholic sanctuary would agree to it," mused the Daily.
According to the BBC reports, Newsom did indeed begin the day of his second inauguration with a family Mass at Mission Dolores Basilica.
According to the website of the Basilica, "Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco."
It is unknown whether or not Newson received Communion at the Mass.
Following the Mass, Newsom was sworn into office at the San Francisco City Hall. The inauguration ceremony continued the theme of Newsom's religious affiliations, being opened with a rendition of Schubert's Ave Maria, a hymn in praise of the Blessed Mother, performed by the San Francisco boy's choir.
In the following inauguration address Newsom brought attention to his pro-homosexual activism.
"This city is supported by values that distinguish us as San Franciscans. As this world is dealing with the consequences of division, injustice and racism, here in our city we're showing the world that diversity is not something to fear, but is something to embrace," he said.
Newsom then criticized people who "deride what they call 'San Francisco' values."
"But we know that these values inspire many, many more people than they frighten," he said. "We saw how San Francisco became a beacon for the world just four years ago when right here we fought for marriage equality."
"The world didn't come to an end, and the world certainly didn't become worse when over four thousand lesbian and gay couples were allowed to express their love and devotion and responsibility for each other," he said. "It became better."
"The world didn't become worse when we extended the protection of our laws to transgendered San Franciscans. It became better."
A self-styled "Roman Catholic", Newsom has in the past criticized the Vatican's position on homosexual "marriage" and adoptions as "corroding and divisive," and suggested the Vatican needed to move beyond "stale and questionable documents" if it wanted the Church to evolve.
The mayor canceled a 2006 trip to Rome for the installation of former San Francisco Archbishop William Levada as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, saying it was in protest of the Catholic stance against adoptions for homosexual couples.
"The idea, the principle that two loving parents of the same sex can't be great parents and that this church is now going to start attacking gay adoptions in this country and around the world was really disconcerting," Newsom told the San Francisco Sentinel.
Newsom also made the news last year after it was revealed that he had had an affair with his campaign manager's wife, and that he was seeking treatment for a drinking problem.
Interestingly enough, in his inauguration address Newsom also noted the low birth-rate and the lack of families in San Francisco. "If there is an area in which we need to be more welcoming, it's in keeping our families and children in our city…We have the dubious distinction – and I know many of you know this – we have the dubious distinction of having the lowest percentage of children of any city in America."
Newsom said that there were "many reasons for this," but did not address what he thought the reasons were.
Instead, Newson announced that the city would be instituting a so-called baby bond savings program, that would place $500 dollars into an account for every child born in the city. The proceeds of this fund would go towards "every graduating senior that participates in public service," he announced. He said that this would demonstrate to families that the city is interested in investing in their families and would encourage them to "stay the course" and stay in the city.
To respectfully express your concern contact:
Online form to contact Mayor Newsom:
http://www.sfgov.org/site/mainpages_form.asp?id=18611
Archbishop George H. Niederauer
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco
One Peter Yorke Way
San Francisco, CA 94109
415 614 5500
E-mail: info@sfarchdiocese.org
Mission Dolores Basilica
Pastor – Rev. Arturo L. Albano
3321 Sixteenth Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
parish@missiondolores.org
