Pope on Homosexual Unions

Reason for Concern in light of above post

From Today's breaking Catholic News: {there are many links on this story including link to Bishop's published letter}

Headline: Priest was wrong to deny Communion to Lesbian


The Catholic Church teaches against homosexual behavior and gay marriage. But when a lesbian woman was denied Communion at her mother's funeral Mass and the priest walked out on the burial service, the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., was officially appalled.

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Michelle Boorstein has the details at the Washington Post. Barbara Johnson, married to her partner in Washington, D.C., was stunned when the Rev. Marcel Guarnizo of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md., blocked the Communion cup with his hand and called her a sinner in front of the church.

Johnson recalled to Boorstein on Tuesday, and again to MSNBC today, that he refused the sacrament and called her a sinner as she came to mourn her devoutly Catholic mother.

The Archdiocese of Washington, which includes Gaithersburg in southern Maryland, has apologized in a letter to Johnson. According to The Post, a high-ranking official wrote:

... the lack of "kindness" she and her family received "is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me."

and the letter from the Bishop dated yesterday, February 28th said:

"I am sorry that what should have been a celebration of your mother's life, in light of her faith in Jesus Christ, was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity. I hope that healing and reconciliation with the Church might be possible for you and any others who were affected by this experience. In the meantime, I will offer Mass for the happy repose of your mother's soul. May God bring you and your family comfort in your grief and hope in the Resurrection."

The archdiocese's policy is in line with the official position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It makes clear that while the church speaks against homosexual behavior, it calls for all people to be treated with dignity. The document, Always our Children, concludes in a message to homosexuals and their families.

This is why I am "hooking-up" (pardon the pun) with the SSPX:

Can. 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion. (1983 Code of Canon Law)

Does the D.C. bishop take this canon seriously? The woman was a known lesbian, a manifest, public sinner. I hope that the priest in question "jumps ship" or at least appeals to Rome. A SSPX priest would have no qualms about denying communion to an individual who is not worthy to receive it.

Jehanne wrote:

I hope that the priest in question "jumps ship" or at least appeals to Rome. A SSPX priest would have no qualms about denying communion to an individual who is not worthy to receive it.

Another example of the Crisis in the Church under which Our Holy father suffers. Did you read The Popes words in the post above this one? I pray that the priest does not jump ship(Ark of Salvation) and fights the good fight.

Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."

What kind of priest is Father Marcel Guarnizo and who will stand with him or who will say that this is too sensitive or controversial or none of my business?

Please link to the following to begin to understand exactly what kind of Priest Father Marcel is:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hrnNK64epEM

The secular media has twisted and turned this event into poor victim situation and the Bishop has bought the bait, hook , line and sinker at the expense of a good and holy priest.

The Bishop said in his apology letter that, “I am sorry that what should have been a celebration of your mother’s life, in light of her faith in Jesus Christ, was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity,”

How about sensitivity to God and Church, Bishop ?


We were not privy to all the facts that Father had in denying communion. Father had enough information in his mind to make the decision that he made. This had nothing to do with compassion for the family. This was not a question of giving someone the benefit of the doubt. This was about the Body and Blood of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. His judgement should not have been OPENLY questioned by the Bishop and tragically for the Church the Bishop went so far as to rebuke, embarrass,and apologize for what he did in front of the world. This is no small matter. We have all been to funerals. These are the among the saddest days of our life. There must be extreme sensitivity given to all but never at the expense mocking Jesus. This profound sadness at a funeral does NOT trump the judgement of a priest to judge that someone has obstinately persisted in manifest grave sin.

I will pray for and support Father Marcel and pray that the Bishop comes to his senses.

CC: Father Michael