Pagan ancestors venerated at the L.A. Cathedral
On January 24, 2004, Card. Roger Mahony promoted a Mass for the Chinese New Year.
Above, moving dragons and lanterns are displayed in the Cathedral as a part of the pagan ritual.
According to the Chinese customs, the passage of the year is highlighted by the veneration of their ancesters.
After the Communion, Card. Mahony, Bishop Ignatius Wang, Auxiliary of San Francisco, and Bishop Edward Clark, Auxiliary of Los Angeles, participated in the veneration of the ancestors ritual along with the elders from the Chinese community.
The ritual featured burning of incense, offering of flowers, fruits and wine and honorary bows to the ancestors shrine, which was carried as a part of the pagan procession.
In short, a kind of animist worship performed by pagans together with the Cardinal of Los Angeles and two Auxiliary Bishops in a Catholic cathedral.
The Tidings January 30, 2004
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