#USA #OH – On June 27, 2026, Archbishop Robert G. Casey of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati instructed a local Catholic men’s group not to pray the Rosary on the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, citing a desire to remain neutral amid the city’s Pride Parade taking place nearby.
The group, associated with Christ the King Action Ministries had planned the public prayer as an act of reparation for what its members described as sins promoted during the Pride event. According to the group’s account, the archbishop conveyed the decision through the cathedral rector. The group subsequently shared video footage and a detailed post documenting the exchange, which quickly circulated among traditional Catholic circles online.
Archbishop Casey, who was installed as the 10th Archbishop of Cincinnati in April 2025 after serving as an auxiliary bishop in Chicago, faced immediate criticism from some faithful who argued that Catholic teaching prohibits neutrality toward sin. They referenced Scripture, writings of the Church Fathers, and the Catechism, which characterize homosexual acts as intrinsically disordered.
In a follow-up statement released by the Archdiocese, officials clarified that the denial stemmed from concerns over liability and the lack of diocesan oversight for the unsanctioned gathering on church property. The response emphasized procedural and legal considerations rather than doctrinal positions on the Pride Parade itself.
No official comment from Archbishop Casey directly addressed the controversy beyond the archdiocesan statement as of June 29, 2026. The Pride Parade and festival proceeded as scheduled in downtown Cincinnati that Saturday.
Image: Cathedral of Saint Peter in Chains interior in Cincinnati, Ohio.
