Vigil Held For Gay Priest Killed On 9/11
April 20, 2008

A special tribute to Fire Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, who died on September 11th, was held Saturday night – ahead of the pope's visit to the World Trade Center site.

Those in attendance urged Pope Benedict XVI to remember the openly-gay priest.

"He had a heart as big as New York," said friend Brendan Fay. "There was room for everybody. We wish that our church had room for everybody, and that was one of our prayers tonight, that our church would be welcoming, especially those who feel excluded, especially gays and lesbians."

Friends describe Judge as a beacon of light.

"I pray for the late father, and all of his wonderful works, especially his whole life devoted to gay causes and devoted his whole life to God and the Catholic Church," said Stanley Rygor, who also attended the vigil.

Judge, the longtime chaplain to the Fire Department, was extremely active in the gay and lesbian community, which stood in stark contrast to the church's strict teachings about homosexuality.
He gave last rites to gays suffering from HIV/AIDS, and held mass for a community that is not recognized by the Catholic Church.

Father Judge spent most of his days at St. Francis of Assisi Church, just across the street from Engine 24, Ladder 1 in Midtown, where he often visited the firehouse and chatted with its members.

His sister will be among the sixteen family members and first responders who will meet the Pope Sunday morning.