Catholic Parish Is ‘Standing Together Against Hate’ In Wake of Anti-LGBTQ+ Vandalism

The entrance to All Saints parish church building

All Saints Parish in Syracuse, New York, has one of the longest standing LGBTQ+ ministries in the U.S. church. Fr. Fred Daley, the pastor, and his dedicated staff and team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to make sure that truly “all are welcome” in their parish.  Bondings 2.0 readers may recall that earlier this year, the parish made a bold statement decrying the Trump administration’s attacks on transgender people.  At that time, New Ways Ministry stated that we are “proud to support the way they have responded in such fearsome, despairing, and dangerous times” and that we hoped they would be “an example to the entire Catholic Church in the U.S.”

So, it was extremely disturbing to learn the news that on this past weekend the parish was vandalized because of their support for LGBTQ+ people. Their outdoor Pride flag was torn down, and their U.S. flag was lowered to half-mast.

The All Saints community, however, is undaunted, and are using this terrible act as an occasion to recommit themselves to their welcome of all.  The following statement from the parish’s LGBTQIA+ Task Force explains their plans:

Standing Together Against Hate

Last night, someone removed the Pride Flag at our church and lowered the U.S. Flag to halfstaff. This act of vandalism is not only childish and disrespectful but also a painful reminder of the challenges we continue to face in this political climate.

However, let it be known—All Saints Church will not stand idly by. We refuse to let fear and intolerance dictate our space and our values—values rooted in the Gospels of Jesus.

In response, we are taking a firm and public stand. This weekend, we will proudly raise the Pride Flag once again in front of our church as part of our Parish LGBTQIA+ Pride celebration.

We invite all members of our community to join us for this public Pride Flag raising on Saturday, June 14, at 11 AM as we recommit ourselves to love, acceptance, and unity.

Hate may try to shake us, but it will never break us. Let’s stand together against bias, hatred, and fearmongering.

Join us as we raise the flag—not just as a symbol, but as a declaration that love, and inclusion will always prevail. This is not a time to sit on the sidelines.

In addition to standing in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, this parish has become a home for many in their city who did not feel welcome in other faith communities. A major part of their ministry has been to welcome a community of immigrants from Congo, providing them with bus transportation each Sunday becasue they live on the far side of the city.

The parish has the nation’s only Catholic shrine to Father Mychal Judge, OFM, the gay priest who was the NYC Fire Department chaplain who died in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.  Each year, the parish presents the Father Mychal Judge Award to people and groups who exemplify the values of the deceased priest.  In 2022, New Ways Ministry was the recipient.  The shrine is an emotionally moving statue of Father Judge being carried out of World Trade Center rubble by four first responders.

As attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters continue to increase at a frightening pace, Catholics are going to have to find the courage to witness non-violently against this vicious scourge. Once again, All Saints Parish, continues to be a model of such resilience and resistance.

If your parish is taking action to counter anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, please let Bondings 2.0 know about it, so we can share your witness with others, too, as a way to build up a movement of faith-inspired resistance. Send information to [email protected].

—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, June 10, 2025