With June ushering in a wave of odes to LGBT “Pride” Month across traditional and social media from political, activist, and corporate voices, a Catholic priest’s video explaining why the celebration is incompatible with Christian principles drew a flurry of hate from left-wing voices, and a censorship action from video sharing platform TikTok.
On the first of the month, Fr. Simon Esshaki of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon released a short video explaining that the faithful are called to love everyone, including those struggling with same-sex attraction, and part of that love means meeting sin with truth, not reinforcement.
“Just because you love somebody doesn’t mean you have to agree with them in every single action that they do,” Esshaki continued. “To love someone means to want what’s best for them, and it’s not best for someone that they are supported in their sinful actions, and it could be homosexual actions, it could be any other type of lustful actions, or any other type of sin. All sin is bad, and we are all sinners, we all struggle, but we all need the grace of God to be able to overcome our sins.”
“Catholics actually dedicate this month to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so instead of conforming to our sinful desires, let’s conform to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and try to become like him,” the video concluded. “Pray for all sinners, love them, but do not support their sinful actions.”
The calm, respectful video was flooded with hostile reactions, ranging from replies accusing Esshaki “of hate” to people suggesting with no evidence that he himself was a closeted homosexual (a common trope among a certain subset of LGBT activists), even a since-deleted image that crudely pasted Esshaki’s photo into a gay chat app.
In addition, TikTok temporarily locked Esshaki out of his account, citing unspecified “Community Guideline violations.” Esshaki noted the website’s hypocrisy in doing so while allowing the posts attacking him to continue:
It’s very disappointing that TikTok allows videos of people defaming me and yet does not allow me to defend myself. @tiktok_us, please fix this.
On June 4, Esshaki made a follow-up statement revealing that he had received death threats for his stance, and explaining that he briefly deactivated his Twitter account in hopes of defusing the onslaught:
Esshaki concluded the message by reiterating Christ’s command to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” which compelled him to “continue to love and pray for all the people” attacking him. “I encourage you all to do the same.”
TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is no stranger to censorship controversies. In January, it temporarily banned the account of pro-life group Live Action, and last year it temporarily suspended 17-year-old Feroza Aziz over a video discussing the Chinese government’s persecution of the country’s Uighur Muslim population….
The above comes from a June 8 story on LifeSiteNews.
He did nothing wrong.
Indeed, he did everything right! This priest is an example of a man leading his flock, not abandoning them to the LGBT wolves. This would have been a no-brainer just a few years ago, that he is attacked for proclaiming Catholic moral teaching is an outrage. Pray for him as the barrage against him will continue.
May God bless and protect Fr. Simon and his family. Let us pray for him!
Aren’t men ordained to Holy Orders to preach and teach what Christ and His Church teach us?
And, each of us by our baptism, confirmation/chrismation and Holy Eucharist are fully members of the Body of Christ and are called to do the same as well.
Love all others and speak the truth. (Ephesians 4:15)
It is their loss, and I am sure much of his sermon was taken out of context by those who opposed him. May God bless and protect Fr. Esshaki.
Fortunately for Fr. Simon, he’s not under the jurisdiction of the Latin-rite Bishop of San Diego. There might have been episcopal retribution . . .
My thought exactly, Greg. It is no surprise that no Latin-rite priests issued similar statements. B. McElroy would be on them before you could say excommunication.
Dan, are you insinuating that latin-rite priests are pro-gay?
Ron, Some are. Would you deny that fact?
And, isn’t Dan saying that some priests don’t speak out due to fear of retaliation by their bishop?
I’m more concerned with people like the deacon in Troy Michigan who sexually abused 14 year old altar boy.
It should be renamed to Shame month… Lord have Justice
Fr. Simon is a courageous priest speaking the truth in love.
Calling on all Catholic brothers and sisters to pray for him.
Praising God for this joyful persecution which will bear much
fruit.
This priest is the light that is needed to challenge the evils of darkness that are promoted in our time. The early Church did that and Christens where punished severely by the powers of those days. But ironically the Church grew stronger and more united .These days our western civilization is decaying and it calls, for this again, to fight Satan no matter how many critics and the media cry out in ranting opposition. Our clerics and all like Christians must speak out!
Priest are afraid to speak out because they fear the goon squads sent to take them for a “psychiatric evaluation”. Check out, though, the very thorough problems of the seminary and priesthood on Fr. Altman’s homily (La Crosse, WI) from 5/19/20.
We ARE heading towards the following –The Byzantine Empire finally capitulated to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, as the Byzantines had a history of paying off
invaders to keep them from invading them..
Ancient Greek Empire surrender themselves to the Romans on the condition they could keep their lawful unnatural behaviors,
Rome went along with it as it was expedient for them to have a peaceful transition.
That is ONLY if the following does not happen –CHINA: EMP THREAT
The People’s Republic of China Military Doctrine, Plans, and Capabilities for Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack
Dr. Peter Vincent Pry Executive Director EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security June 10, 2020
— Known fact China wants to be the dominate Country of the planet
Earth.
Father Simon has the right to express his viewpoint. Tik Tok has to right to express there viewpoint by banning him. Social Media companies owe us nothing
I know Father Simon. I think he should have sat this one out. You don’t need, nor should you, express every thought, belief or opinion that runs through your head. Some in our congregation have concerns about Father Simon. I believe “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is the best policy.
Fr. Simon, I guess, would rather suffer petty indignities from ignorant groups than be held accountable for loss of souls as a priest. Pretty good trade off if you ask me and I just pray I’ll have that kind of courage when the time comes.
It is shameful what Father Simon has done. While I do not understand homosexuality nor do I condone it, the fact is, God loves them and we should to show our love. Can you imagine how difficult it must be to have same sex attraction in a world that does not support you? I am talking about consenting adults. Homosexuals have made amazing contributions to science and art and humanity. Let us embrace them. T
So going to parades where men parade around nearly naked, sometimes with halters on is your idea of a decent family activity. Sorry but a whole lot of us disagree with you. I had a friend who was caught in San Francisco traffic years ago when one such parade was going on, and she told me she and those in her car were thankful they had no children with them, There was nudity and two women poking needles in parts of their naked bodies. I know she was not lying because nurses had told some of things that they had to discourage, such as “fisting” — all terribly harmful to the body no matter who does it.
I do not go to large Madre Gras festivals either, even though I have some French blood. In one city in California — San Jose — they stopped having them as they got so out of hand with people getting drunk and high on drugs that businesses were destroyed, and a statue of St. Joseph desecrated outside the cathedral. There are some people who always have to ruin a good thing.
I have to agree with my mother and sisters on this one. Does Father Simon think our church is full of gays who are swelling with pride and want to go celebrate it? I don’t understand.With all the problems in the world and the community, why is Gay Pride on the top of Father Simon’s list? I attended a Catholic church in Troy where our subdeacon was abusing a 14 year old altar boy. Evil hides in some very good places. Look within and clean up your own glasshouse before throwing stones. No one should encourage members of the congregation to attend a gay pride festival.But why would Father Simon think that his parishners needed to be told not to? Doesn’t he think we can make good decisions on our own? Offending others is of no benefit to us. Sometimes its best to focus on bettering our own community. Father Simon needs sensitivity training and to look within himself to see what is this such an important issue TO HIM.
Alan – Why are you offended by truth, even if it is spoken or acted out of love? Truth is always exclusive and absolute. Truth is not relative and does not change because of people’s opinions. It is a false belief that if you are a good Catholic you will not offend anyone. Fr. Simon’s own words, “Pray for all sinners (us) but do not support their sinful ways” is an absolute truth from the Word of God.
God bless Fr. Simon and the kindness of his wonderful family! I remember him when he was just a kid who attended school with my kids. We are all so proud of him for the choices he has made in his life. Many prayers for you, Father, and may Our Lord never turn His Face from you!