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Judgment Day for radio network, prankster after cathedral sex stunt
The Federal Communications Commission has proposed a $357,000 fine against Infinity Broadcasting for an August 2002 radio stunt that involved a couple supposedly having sex in New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral during a service.

It's the second-largest fine in FCC history, but is significantly smaller than a 1995 judgment against Howard Stern, which involved several different violations of community standards.

The $375,000 fine, which the FCC described as "the highest amount permitted," is supported by four of the five commissioners. The fifth says it simply isn't a severe enough punishment.

"Infinity/Viacom could pay this entire fine by tacking just one more commercial onto one of its prime-time TV shows and probably pocket a profit to boot," said Michael Copps. "Unless the FCC takes these cases seriously and initiates revocation hearings, stations will know that they don't have to take the law seriously. … The message to licensees is clear: Even egregious repeated violations will not result in revocation of a license. Rather, they will result only in a financial penalty that doesn't even rise to a serious cost of doing business."

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old man who supposedly engaged in the sex act faces a judgment of a different kind. Less than a week before he was due to appear in court for the stunt, Brian Florence died of a heart attack, his lawyer said. "We are all in shock — he was a young guy," the attorney told the court, announcing the death. His girlfriend, with whom he performed the stunt, had her case postponed.

Paul Mercurio, the radio worker who described the act on the air, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to seven days of community service.

"Since the show, I realized how inappropriate these actions were," Mercurio said "I have apologized personally to monsignors at St. Patrick's Cathedral and apologize publicly now for the disrespect we showed the church, its parishioners, and the people of the City of New York."

"His 'public' apology fell short of apologizing in public," the New York Post noted, adding that he avoided reporters after the trial.

Anglican woes:

• Zahl alleges plan to stifle conservatives | A prominent Birmingham theologian said he was given documents that show a plan to stifle conservative dissent on homosexuality when the world's Anglican archbishops meet in London this month (The Birmingham News)
  
  
• New bishop won't make big changes for now | Episcopal leader to begin at Square 1 (The Rocky Mountain News, Denver)
  
  
• Offer of gay service is snubbed | An attempt by the Bishop of Manchester to rebuild relations with gay Christians by reinstituting a service he had banned in the city's cathedral backfired yesterday when they rejected his conditions and said they would hold their service in another local church instead (The Guardian, London)
  
  
• S.C. diocese asks Anglican leaders to address rift | Sharp differences over gay bishop, same-sex unions divide Episcopalians (The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C.)
  
  
• Episcopal convention opposes gay bishop | Diocese of South Carolina votes against Robinson's recent election (The State, Columbia, S.C.)
  
  

Homosexual marriage:

• Groups pledge to protect marriage | Two dozen conservative and religious groups yesterday pledged to use their bully pulpits, media outlets and grass-roots resources to rouse national and political support for traditional marriage (The Washington Times)
  
  
• Also: Gay marriage used to spur voter drive | Organizers from more than two dozen groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Family Association, and the Christian Coalition, say they want to make gay marriage the No. 1 social issue in the 2004 election (Associated Press)
  
  

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September (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47