BUFFALO, N.Y. — Congressman Tim Kennedy sent a letter to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo on Wednesday asking him to reconsider his decision to cancel a choral concert featuring The Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus.
The Congressman says it's important to send a message of love and tolerance, and he feels this decision by the Catholic diocese should be reversed.
"I was moved to write the letter because I think it was the wrong decision," said Rep. Tim Kennedy.
Earlier this week, the Buffalo Catholic Diocese said in a statement that it canceled a summer choral festival at Saint Joseph Cathedral because "a choir identified to perform is a group whose values are inconsistent with Catholic teaching."
That group is The Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus.
Wednesday afternoon, Congressman Tim Kennedy sent a letter to Bishop Michael Fisher asking him to reconsider that decision.
"I think the Bishop reversing this decision would send a message that number one, the church is listening. That the church recognizes the diversity of our community and who we are as a community and a diocese," said Rep. Tim Kennedy.
As a practicing Catholic, Kennedy says The Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus should be celebrated, not canceled.
"I think a decision like this alienates people in our community from all walks of life, and what we ought to be doing is embracing each other and bringing people in in the traditions of our wonderful faith, and I think a decision like this is a decision that really turns people away," said Rep. Tim Kennedy.
After being canceled at the cathedral, the festival found a new home. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street in Buffalo will host the choirs June 9 at 4 p.m.
A spokesperson for the diocese told 2 On Your Side on Wednesday afternoon that the Bishop got the letter and is not reconsidering hosting the festival.