Vanessa Collier - More than two dozen people gathered outside the New Hope Ministries chapel in Lakewood on Tuesday with signs as they chanted in protest against the decision of pastor Ray Chavez to abruptly end a lesbian woman's funeral on Sat. Jan, 10.
It was already about 15 minutes into the ceremony when Ray Chavez made his decision known to the friends and relatives of Vanessa Collier, who were forced to relocate and carry along all the flowers and accessories they had brought across the street to the Newcomers Funeral Home, along with the body of the deceased.
Reports indicate that the funeral home was barely large enough to accommodate the friends and relatives of Collier.
Pastor Ray Chavez's decision to abruptly stop Vanessa Collier's funeral in the church is reportedly centered on a video, which contains several pictures of the deceased - including one with her kissing her partner.
According to Gary Rolando, the chaplain who presided over Vanessa's funeral, New Hope's policy of not officiating the funerals of homosexuals has long been known to the funeral home. However, he claims a mix-up caused Vanessa Collier's funeral to be booked at the church.
But friends of the deceased have accused New Hope of sabotage. They claim that Pastor Chavez had ample time inform Collier's family of his decision prior to her day of internment. But Rolando explains that the church had lost their copy of the video and had just 48 hours to review a new copy before the funeral.
According to him, the church had asked Collier's family to edit out the images that overtly showed lesbian acts, but the family refused.
Jessica Maestas, Vanessa's cousin, says she was only asked to provide the video two days before the funeral date. "I provided the video, and got the okay from the funeral home we would be able to show it," she told ABC.
Vanessa Collier's friends and relatives say they are 'devastated' and 'humiliated' by the actions of New Hope. They have demanded an apology from pastor Chavez. During Tuesday's protest they held up signs saying "Dignity In Death","You will not find Jesus at New Hope but you will find HYPOCRISY."
Jose Silva, Vanessa's friend, who says he is the child of a lesbian mother, has demanded that his friend is given some dignity in her death. According to him, Chavez should apologize and reimburse the fee he was paid to host the gathering. Silva, who was one of the organizers of the protest, directed the group to pray "that the Lord helps [New Hope]."
"My prayer is the same as that of New Hope Ministry and Newcomer Mortuary: That the Collier family will be able to move forward from here in healing and peace," Rolando said.
Reports indicate that Chavez has paid the $400 he was given to host the ceremony to Newcomers Mortuary.
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