Mazel Tov to Catholic Archbishop Oscar Cruz of the Philippines. He's one of the few spiritual leaders to support gays marching in the Santacruzan festival, which honors the Virgin Mary, although with perhaps an offensive caveat: If they are devotees, they are religious and they look decent, I believe they have the right to join in. I think it would be better for us to see gays who act formally and decently in the Santacruzan rather than young and beautiful women who are not clean and [are] immoral." [Manila Standard]

Philippines Catholic Cardinal Rosales caused a stir yesterday when he denounced gays marching in the annual Santacruzan festivals, which honor the Virgin Mary. In addition, he's now declared that any parish that allows gays to march with them will find their Mass privileges revoked for entertaining such "sacrilege" and "insult." Can he really do that? [LifeSite]

Gown-wearing gays are under fire in the Philippines. Catholic Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales made headlines this weekend after declaring on Church radio that we homos have no place in May's Santacruzan festivals. The event – also known as Flowers of May – involves girls and women getting dolled up in their finest threads and marching for the Virgin Mary. And, as you know, the Catholics take their Virgin very seriously, which helps explain Rosales opposition.

Gay activist Danton Remoto insists, however, that the gays are just as dedicated to the legendary lady:

In the eyes of God, everyone is equal. Some of these gay men have saved a lot of money for their gowns (to be worn in the procession) and they were doing it because they believed in the Virgin Mary. They need understanding, not condemnation.

Rosales, for his part, insists he's not against the gays, just their gay ways, "I am not angry at gay men. But, I am against what they're actually doing." What we're "doing" remains undefined…