New York ( CNN ) -- This year , as for the past 12 years or more , parishioners from St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church have marched under their church banner in New York 's colorful Gay Pride parade . But this year , there was a difference . Their banner was blank , missing the name of the church . New York 's Archbishop Timothy Dolan asked the church 's pastor to keep St. Francis ' name out of the picture . The parish was told that the archdiocese 's spiritual leader was concerned the church might be seen as endorsing some elements of the gay pride march that may advocate a promiscuous lifestyle . `` Our people are not endorsing that at all , '' said the church 's pastor , the Rev . Joe Costantino . Members of the gay ministries of St. Francis Xavier say they view the parade as an opportunity to welcome gay Catholics back into the fold . They hand out welcome brochures to reach out to anyone watching the march . `` Perhaps some people come to St. Francis because they do n't feel judged , '' said Stephanie Samoy , a self-proclaimed lesbian who has been active in the parish for several years . `` I do n't know if it 's the Holy Spirit , but there 's love ... the presence of the savior , '' said Samoy . For years , Samoy and other parishioners have taken their spirit to the streets , proud to advertise their church . `` It 's empowering , it 's refreshing , it 's a mission , and people need to know there 's a place they can come home to , '' said Samoy . She said when parishioners heard about keeping their church 's name under wraps in the march , many in the church 's gay ministries were n't happy . `` I was like , hell no , '' said Samoy . Then , she said the LGBT -- lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender -- ministries together decided to march with a blank banner and continue to distribute their brochures . `` We are honoring his request , '' she said of the archbishop . But they also wore T-shirts on which they printed the St. Francis Xavier name . A compromise , Samoy said , that they and their pastor accept . `` For me , the blank banner stands for , 'We 've been silenced . ' For me , that 's also very powerful and we can -- I can -- live with that this year . '' A spokesman for Archbishop Dolan told CNN he had no comment .
Parishioners of Gay Pride have marched in New York parade for years . St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church 's ministries for LGBT communities invite gay Samoy back to church . St. Francis Xavier archbishop asked church 's pastor to keep church 's name out of parade . Parishioners marched wearing T-shirts with church 's name , but with blank banner .