MINNEAPOLIS — A Roman Catholic bishop in Minnesota said he would not deny Communion to gay-rights supporters during Mass on Pentecost Sunday, May 30, prompting a group of 36 laymen to kneel in the center aisle at the Cathedral of St. Paul to block the rainbow sash-wearing supporters, according to Christianity Today.

The men call themselves the "Ushers of the Eucharist," and organizer David Pence said that St. Paul Archbishop Harry Flynn is "weak" and "has no courage" to resist gay activists.

In Chicago, Cardinal Francis George denied Communion to about 15 activists at Holy Name Cathedral, because they were using "the moment of Eucharist to demonstrate their opposition to Catholic teaching," according to Jim Dwyer, director of communication for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

But Joseph Murray, convener of the Rainbow Sash Movement, said the sash is not a protest, only a sort of coming out in church. Murray said parishioners who wear the sash announce that they are already part of the church as gay and lesbian members. His home parish is Immaculate Conception in Chicago

Leon J. Suprenant Jr., president of Catholics United for the Faith, told Christianity Today that bishops and priests who withhold Communion are following church teaching found in Canon 915, which states that unrepentant sinners should not be admitted to Holy Communion.

Suprenant said, "To receive the body and blood of the Lord and not receive his teaching is spiritually perilous."

In July, a task force of U.S. Catholic bishops said the decision on whether to deny Communion to politicians whose votes violate church teaching is up to individual bishops. A few, like Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, said they will deny Communion to pro-choice politicians. On May 10, 48 mostly pro-choice House Democrats requested a meeting with Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who headed the task force.

Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs has told lay Catholics who vote pro-choice they should refrain from Communion.