Editing Mychal Judge (section)

==Legacy==
[[File:Fr. Mychal Judge FDNY memorial.jpg|thumbnail|The FDNY Memorial to Judge at Engine 1, Ladder 24 in Manhattan]]
[[File:12.6.11MychalJudgePanelS-18ByLuigiNovi4.jpg|thumb|Judge's name is located on Panel S-18 of the [[National September 11 Memorial]]'s South Pool, along with those of other first responders.]]
On September 15, 2001, 3,000 people attended Judge's funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, which was presided over by [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Edward Egan]], the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Archbishop of New York]]. Former President [[Bill Clinton]] and Senator [[Hillary Clinton|Hillary Rodham Clinton]] also attended. President Clinton said that Judge's death was a "special loss. We should lift his life up as an example of what has to prevail. We have to be more like Father Mike than the people who killed him."<ref>Glenn Holsten (director). ''Saint of 9/11''.  Equality Forum. 2006.</ref>

Judge was buried in the friars' plot at [[Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Totowa, New Jersey)|Holy Sepulchre Cemetery]] in [[Totowa, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hnp.org/publications/hnp_today_view.cfm?iid=86&aid=1607| publisher=Holy Name Province of the Franciscan Friars|title=Newspaper Looks at Mychal Judge's Final Resting Place|date=2007-11-07|access-date=2008-04-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109135649/http://www.hnp.org/publications/hnp_today_view.cfm?iid=86&aid=1607| archive-date=2007-11-09}}</ref> On October 11, 2001, Brendan Fay organized a "Month's Mind Memorial" in Good Shepherd Chapel, [[General Theological Seminary]], New York. It was an evening of prayer, stories, traditional Irish music, and personal testimonials about Judge.

Some Catholics called for the [[canonization]] of Judge.<ref>Shane, Larry (December 25, 2002). [https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20021225/saint250/sainthood-call-for-fire-chaplain-rises-from-sept-11-ashes "Sainthood call for chaplain rises from Sept.11 ashes"] . ''[[The Seattle Times]]''.</ref><ref name="Newman">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/nyregion/25judge.html | title=Admirers of Fallen 9/11 Hero Disdain the Vatican's Likely Plan to Bar Gays as Priests | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=2005-09-25 | last=Newman | first=Andy | access-date=2008-04-17 | archive-date=2008-09-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911212211/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/nyregion/25judge.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Orthodox-Catholic Church of America]] declared him a saint.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orthodoxcatholicchurch.org/saints.html|title=Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M Was Declared a Saint of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America on July 27, 2002|publisher=[[The Orthodox Catholic Church of America]]|access-date=November 13, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629155713/http://www.orthodoxcatholicchurch.org/saints.html|archive-date=June 29, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Parish-Judge">{{cite web| url = http://stmychalthemartyr.org/stmmj.html| title = St. Mychal Judge| access-date = 2006-09-22| publisher = St. Mychal the Martyr Parish| url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060810192722/http://stmychalthemartyr.org/stmmj.html| archive-date = 2006-08-10}}</ref> Two people have said they experienced miraculous healings through prayers to Judge.<ref>Charisse, Jones (June 19, 2003). [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-02-19-mychal-cover_x.htm "The Making of Saint Mychal"]. ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref>

Judge's fire helmet was presented to [[Pope John Paul II]]. France awarded him the [[Légion d'honneur]]. Some members of the [[United States Congress]] nominated him for the [[Congressional Gold Medal]],<ref>Thomas, Jocelyn (September 15, 2010). [http://www.hnp.org/publications/hnp_today_view.cfm?iid=158&aid=3313 "''HNP Today'' newsletter"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219025906/http://hnp.org/publications/hnp_today_view.cfm?iid=158&aid=3313 |date=2010-12-19 }}. Vol. 44, No. 19. [[Franciscan Friars]]: Holy Name Province.</ref> as well as the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]]. In 2002, the City of New York renamed the portion of West 31st Street on which the friary where he lived is located as "Father Mychal F. Judge Street", and christened a commuter ferry the ''[[Father Mychal Judge (ship)|Father Mychal Judge]]'' in his honor in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |last=McQuillan |first=Alice |date=February 21, 2002 |title=Ferry Named For FDNY Priest |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2002/02/21/ferry-named-for-fdny-priest/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>

In 2002, the United States Congress passed ''The Mychal Judge Police and Fire Chaplains Public Safety Officers Benefit Act'' into law.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth (June 27, 2002). [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/27/us/washington-memo-the-most-unusual-story-behind-a-gay-rights-victory.html "Washington Memo; The Most Unusual Story Behind a Gay Rights Victory"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''.</ref> The law extended federal death benefits to chaplains of police and fire departments, and also marked the first time<ref>''Same-sex Marriage in the United States: Focus on the Facts'' {{ISBN|978-0-739-10882-6}} p. 107</ref> the federal government extended equal benefits for same-sex couples by allowing the [[domestic partner]]s of public safety officers killed in the line of duty to collect a federal death benefit. This act was signed into law on June 24, 2002, but would be retroactive only to September 11, 2001.

The [[New York Press Club]] instituted The Rev. Mychal Judge Heart of New York Award, which is presented annually for the news story or series that is most complimentary of New York City.<ref>[http://www.nypressclub.org/awards.php "The New York Press Club Journalism Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906032641/http://www.nypressclub.org/awards.php |date=2011-09-06 }}. [[New York Press Club]]. Retrieved November 29, 2013.</ref>

A campaign has been started in [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], to have a statue of Judge erected in its Memorial Park.<ref>{{cite news | title=Sculpted from memories: Statue may be final Judge-ment | first=Jeff | last=Fucci | publisher=Leader (New Jersey) | url=http://leadernewspapers.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6652 | date=2008-03-28 | access-date=2008-04-14 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[Alvernia University]], a private independent college in the Franciscan tradition in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]], named a new residence hall in honor of Judge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alvernia.edu/admissions/studentlife/housing.htm | title=Alvernia College: Undergraduate Housing | access-date=2008-04-30 |quote=Judge Hall, our newest residence hall built in 2005, is named in honor of the late Fr. Mychal Judge, a Franciscan priest who died while ministering to injured firefighters at the World Trade Center site on September 11, 2001. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080329093909/http://www.alvernia.edu/admissions/studentlife/housing.htm |archive-date = March 29, 2008}}</ref>

The Father Mychal Judge Memorial in the village of [[Keshcarrigan]], County Leitrim, Ireland, was dedicated in 2005, on donated land which had belonged to Judge's ancestors. People from the village and surrounding area celebrate his life every year on the 9/11 anniversary.<ref>TeVogt, Jim. (April 19, 2007). [http://geograph.ie/photo/1888550 "H0307: Fr. Mychal Judge Memorial Near Keshcarrigan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008033000/http://www.geograph.ie/photo/1888550 |date=2011-10-08 }}. [[Geograph Britain and Ireland]]. Retrieved November 29, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://leitrimobserver.ie/news/local/keshcarrigan_peace_garden_to_honour_memory_of_9_11_priest_1_2019803 "Keshcarrigan Peace Garden to honour memory of 9/11 priest"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929153824/http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local/keshcarrigan_peace_garden_to_honour_memory_of_9_11_priest_1_2019803 |date=2011-09-29 }}. ''[[Leitrim Observer]]''. August 31, 2005.</ref>

In 2006, a documentary film, ''Saint of 9/11'', directed by Glenn Holsten, co-produced by Brendan Fay and narrated by Sir [[Ian McKellen]], was released.

[[Larry Kirwan]], leader of the Irish-American band [[Black 47 (band)|Black 47]], wrote a tribute song entitled "Mychal" in honor of Judge that appeared in the band's 2004 album ''New York Town''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kirwan|first1=Larry|title=Black 47 Album Stories|url=http://www.thereelbook.com/groups/Black47/albums/Black47Albums.aspx|website=The Reel Book|access-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710204155/http://www.thereelbook.com/groups/Black47/albums/Black47Albums.aspx|archive-date=10 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Father Mychal Judge Walk of Remembrance takes place every year in New York on the Sunday before the 9/11 anniversary. It begins with a Mass at St. Francis Church on West 31st Street, then proceeds to the site of [[World Trade Center site|Ground Zero]], retracing Judge's final journey and praying along the way.<ref>Johnson, Nicole (September 11, 2006). [http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?SecID=1000&ArID=62477 "FDNY Chaplain Honored At Annual Remembrance Walk"]{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. [[NY1]].</ref> Every September 11, there is a Mass in memory of Judge in Boston, attended by many who lost family members on 9/11.<ref>McGonegal, Joe (September 16, 2008). [http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/lifestyle/x1780976790/Seven-years-of-healing "Seven years of healing"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301015350/http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/lifestyle/x1780976790/Seven-years-of-healing |date=2009-03-01 }}. [[Wicked Local]].</ref>

At the [[National September 11 Memorial & Museum|National 9/11 Memorial]], Judge is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-18, where other first responders are located.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://names.911memorial.org/#lang=en_US&page=person&id=4631|title=South Pool: Panel N-6 - Mychal F. Judge|publisher=[[National September 11 Memorial & Museum]]|access-date=October 29, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727095710/http://names.911memorial.org/#lang=en_US&page=person&id=4631|archive-date=July 27, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, Judge was inducted into the [[Legacy Walk]], an outdoor public display which celebrates [[LGBT]] history and people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-gay-plaque-wrigleyville-20141012-story.html|title=Legacy Walk honors LGBT 'guardian angels'|date=11 October 2014|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529001821/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-gay-plaque-wrigleyville-20141012-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/pride/2014/10/11/photos-7-lgbt-heroes-honored-plaques-chicagos-legacy-walk?page=full|title=PHOTOS: 7 LGBT Heroes Honored With Plaques in Chicago's Legacy Walk|work=Advocate.com|date=11 October 2014|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706030243/http://www.advocate.com/pride/2014/10/11/photos-7-lgbt-heroes-honored-plaques-chicagos-legacy-walk?page=full|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, a statue was dedicated to Judge at St. Joseph's Park in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the street from St. Joseph's Parish where he served for several years.

In recognition of his heroic actions and his commitment to the dignity of LGBTQ people, Judge was posthumously awarded the Dooley Award by GALA-ND/SMC, an alumni organization of the [[University of Notre Dame]], a prominent American Catholic university.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.galandsmc.org/dooley-award-recipients/ |title=Dooley Award Recipients &#124; GALA-ND/SMC |access-date=2016-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126222257/http://www.galandsmc.org/dooley-award-recipients/ |archive-date=2016-11-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In September 2021, Judge was nominated for [[sainthood]] in the Catholic Church.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=9/11's first casualty Mychal Judge is a legend — can he be a saint?|author=Kelly, Mike|url=https://www.northjersey.com/in-depth/news/columnists/mike-kelly/2021/09/10/father-mychal-judge-911-attacks-fdny-catholic-saint/4939813001/|publisher=[[NorthJersey.com]]|language=en|date=September 10, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021|archivedate=September 10, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910113552/https://www.northjersey.com/in-depth/news/columnists/mike-kelly/2021/09/10/father-mychal-judge-911-attacks-fdny-catholic-saint/4939813001/}}</ref>

A documentary film directed by Brendan Fay that focuses on Judge, ''Remembering Mychal'', premiered on October 26, 2021, in New York City. Featured voices in the film include [[Malachy McCourt]] and [[Pete Hamill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/documentary-911-hero-remembering-mychal|title=Documentary on 9/11 hero 'Remembering Mychal' premieres in New York|publisher=IrishCentral|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=November 12, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2022|archivedate=July 13, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713200854/https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/documentary-911-hero-remembering-mychal}}</ref>

===Canonization debate===
Several organizations have proposed to the Vatican a possible [[canonization]], to which the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Archdiocese of New York]] and the [[Third Order of Saint Francis|Franciscan Third Order]] have not given clear answers. However, Christian denominations that are not in communion with Rome have canonized him, recognizing him as a saint and a martyr<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Mychal Judge |url=http://www.reformedcatholic.org/st-mychal-judge |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=The Reformed Catholic Church |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-29 |title=Saints of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America |url=http://www.orthodoxcatholicchurch.org/saints.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |archive-date=2010-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629155713/http://www.orthodoxcatholicchurch.org/saints.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> while his tomb, in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery of Totowa, has been becoming a kind of "informal sanctuary".<ref name=":0" /> 

While there is an active campaign to open his cause of beatification (the first step to canonization), there remains a controversy over his illicit sexual activity (despite his vow of chastity) and his disobedience towards Church hierarchy regarding certain circumstances which has represented a serious obstacle to his being named a saint.

The fact that Judge had a homosexual orientation is likely to be an impediment to beatification. Postulators have argued that there are precedents of saints and openly LGBT martyrs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=2017-09-11 |title=Father Mychal Judge Was a 9/11 Hero. Could He Also Become the First Gay Saint? |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/09/father-mychal-judge-was-a-9-11-hero-could-he-also-become-the-first-gay-saint.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Recently, in 2021, 20 years after his death, an official cause has been initiated, but without the official support of the Archdiocese of New York, but from an independent postulator, the Rv. Luis Fernando Escalante, directly in charge of the cause in Rome.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's Time to Canonize Fr. Mychal Judge |url=https://www.newwaysministry.org/advocate/time-canonize-fr-mychal-judge/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=New Ways Ministry |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812122357/https://www.newwaysministry.org/advocate/time-canonize-fr-mychal-judge/ |url-status=live }}</ref>