Homophobic Archbishop George Pell may be gone, but gays are still being turned away from his former church in Melbourne.

Gay and lesbian Catholics have again been denied Holy Communion at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in their annual action for church recognition on Pentecost Sunday. 

Wearers of the Rainbow Sash were instead offered a blessing from the Administrator of the Melbourne Archdiocese Bishop DENIS HART, a move described as a token gesture by Rainbow Sash spokesman MICHAEL KELLY. 

Mr KELLY says the group continues to be outraged at the refusal of communion to gay and lesbian people.  He says it's one of the most serious sanctions the church can impose, with ex-communication being the only one that's more serious. 

But Bishop HART has said in a statement that anyone who acts contrary to the teachings of the church in a serious manner may not receive communion. He states the Church has a constant teaching indicating who may receive Holy Communion. 

Bishop HART says the Church believes that all sexual activity is restricted to marriage between a man and a woman. He says that doesn't indicate there's any ill will towards any individual or group, but indicates the clear and unchangeable teaching of the church.