Church, S.F. Archbishop
at Odds Over Gay Play

A local Catholic school's production of Be Still and Know , a play that details the adolescent struggles of teenagers in conflict with their sexual identity and Christian faith, was stopped by San Francisco archbishop George Niederauer before its scheduled premiere at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in the city's Castro district.

The production by Sacred Heart Preparatory high school, based on the 2007 novel The God Box, was personally adapted by the school's drama director, John Loschman.

Niederauer was a staunch supporter of Prop. 8 -- his website released a statement defending his diocese's role in passing the ballot initiative, stating, "Religious leaders in America have the constitutional right to speak out on issues of public policy. Catholic bishops, specifically, also have a responsibility to teach the faith, and our beliefs about marriage and family are part of this faith."

However, Most Holy Redeemer, where the play was to be performed, is an inclusive Catholic church, stating on its website that the church welcomes "Catholics, as well as those people interested in learning about the Catholic experience -- regardless of their background, gender, race, social status, gender identity, or sexual orientation."

The church's pastor, Fr. Steve Meriwether, also includes his support in his opening welcome letter, stating, "You will find the good people of our parish old, young, married, gay, lesbian, transgender, affluent, homeless, blue-collar, converts, cradle Catholics, radical, traditional, questioning, fervent."

The church complied with the archbishop's order without protest, though the production was rumored to have been moved to the University of San Francisco later that day.