An Australian reader writes:
Being a foreigner it may be presumptuous of me to suggest this, but having seen that photo of the late Father Mychal Judge several times over the past few years since 9/11, it strikes me odd that such a perfect embodiment of loss and sacrifice was never turned into the definitive memorial statue for that time and place. Especially as even after more than 5 years, 9/11 still seems conspicuously lacking in any meaningful memorial.
I don’t understand how this picture didn’t capture the same kind of sentiment as the Iwo Jima flag raising, and how it didn’t result in the same kind of spontaneous popular response years ago. Perhaps bringing it to the attention of the WTC Memorial Foundation committee could be one of those rare unifying jobs for the blogosphere, which might even help justify its existence.
The answer, alas, is that Mychal Judge was a gay man and a priest. And no gay man, however heroic, would be given such an honor in today’s America. Gay men – especially gay priests – are beneath inclusion in the official history of America. One day, maybe. But not yet. If you are interested in Father Mychal’s astonishing life of service to God and his fellows, the documentary "Saint of 9/11" is eye-opening. His death was reflected in a lifetime of love and sacrifice.
The Dish 