DC Priest Suspended: Denied Communion To Lesbian

[Cap'n Cat]

Posted without comment.


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A priest who denied communion to a lesbian at her mother's funeral has been placed on leave, according to the Roman Catholic archdiocese.


A letter from an archdiocese official said that the Rev. Marcel Guarnizo was placed on leave for engaging in intimidating behavior, according to NBCWashington.com. The archdiocese had previously apologized for Guarnizo’s behavior.
The letter was read at all Masses this weekend at St. John Neumann, according to The Washington Post. The pastor there, the Rev. Thomas LaHood, said the removal was not related to the communion standoff, but "pertains to actions over the past week or two." He did not elaborate.


Barbara Johnson, the woman who was denied the communion, had asked the archdiocese to remove the priest. Johnson’s family says they hope that action will ensure that others will not suffer the same treatment.
Read full report from NBCWashington.com
On Feb. 25, Johnson attended her mom's funeral at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md., with her partner.

When it came time to hand out bread and wine, Guarnizo “issued a strong admonition that only Catholics in a state of grace can receive communion,” Johnson told msnbc.com.

“I went up. I was standing next to my mother’s casket and he covered the bowl, and said, ‘I cannot give you communion because you are with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin.’ I stood there with my mouth open in a state of shock for – I don’t know how long,” she said.

[GannonFan]

I never liked the idea of priests, at the point of communion, determining who is and who isn't worthy of taking communion. Heck, the last thing people say before communion starts is the whole "I'm worthy to receive you" line - and of course now there's some stupid reference to "my roof" in there for who knows what reason - so I think it's pretty clear we're all sinners. I'm not sure where being gay is a bigger sin than any other sin in the Church's eye. Give the communion and let God sort it out later.

[JoltinJoe]

I never liked the idea of priests, at the point of communion, determining who is and who isn't worthy of taking communion. Heck, the last thing people say before communion starts is the whole "I'm worthy to receive you" line - and of course now there's some stupid reference to "my roof" in there for who knows what reason - so I think it's pretty clear we're all sinners. I'm not sure where being gay is a bigger sin than any other sin in the Church's eye. Give the communion and let God sort it out later.

The priest acted outrageously even if this had been an ordinary Sunday Mass. But at her mother's funeral?

I don't think it's up to a priest to decide who gets Communion. It is the prerogative of the bishop of the individual's diocese to make such a decision, and even then the decision has communicated to the individual -- not imposed at the time of a Mass. Also, denying Communion to someone should be done only the rarest and most extraordinary circumstances.

[andy7171]

This was a story last week that was talked about on local radio shows. The woman was apparently very vocal about being a practicing Buddhist. Which is why this priest took matters into his own hands.

I think the fact that the priest is suspended and no longer allowed to do Masses or funeral or wedding ceremonies, tells you exactly how the Church feels about who was right and who was wrong in this situation.

[JoltinJoe]

This was a story last week that was talked about on local radio shows. The woman was apparently very vocal about being a practicing Buddhist. Which is why this priest took matters into his own hands.

I think the fact that the priest is suspended and no longer allowed to do Masses or funeral or wedding ceremonies, tells you exactly how the Church feels about who was right and who was wrong in this situation.

Well, it's pretty clear then that she shouldn't have presented herself for Communion if she was a Buddhist. But still, if one presents themselves for Communion, it is not the place of the priest to reprimand that person or deny them Communion.

[89Hen]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

[Grizalltheway]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

John Candy lives!

[blueballs]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

When she went for the wafer the Priest smelled pussy on her breath...

[andy7171]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

John Candy lives!

Nailed it! Candy from Volunteers!

[89Hen]

She got what she wanted. Why the hell would she want to take communion if she is a gay Buddhist if it weren't a statement against the church?

[Wedgebuster]

This was a story last week that was talked about on local radio shows. The woman was apparently very vocal about being a practicing Buddhist. Which is why this priest took matters into his own hands.

I think the fact that the priest is suspended and no longer allowed to do Masses or funeral or wedding ceremonies, tells you exactly how the Church feels about who was right and who was wrong in this situation.

[Ivytalk]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

John Candy lives!

Looks more like "Pat."

[D1B]

I never liked the idea of priests, at the point of communion, determining who is and who isn't worthy of taking communion. Heck, the last thing people say before communion starts is the whole "I'm worthy to receive you" line - and of course now there's some stupid reference to "my roof" in there for who knows what reason - so I think it's pretty clear we're all sinners. I'm not sure where being gay is a bigger sin than any other sin in the Church's eye. Give the communion and let God sort it out later.

The priest acted outrageously even if this had been an ordinary Sunday Mass. But at her mother's funeral?

I don't think it's up to a priest to decide who gets Communion. It is the prerogative of the bishop of the individual's diocese to make such a decision, and even then the decision has communicated to the individual -- not imposed at the time of a Mass. Also, denying Communion to someone should be done only the rarest and most extraordinary circumstances.

It her fault for even getting wrapped up in all this stupid catholic shit.

[D1B]

How in the world did he identify her as a lesbian?

When she went for the wafer the Priest smelled pussy on her breath...

A catholic priest has no fucking idea what that smells like.

[D1B]

She got what she wanted. Why the hell would she want to take communion if she is a gay Buddhist if it weren't a statement against the church?

Yeah, and as usual, your church royally fucked up. Bunch of fucking boneheads running it.

[andy7171]

When she went for the wafer the Priest smelled pussy on her breath...

A catholic priest has no fucking idea what that smells like.

It was only a matter of time.

[SuperHornet]

When she went for the wafer the Priest smelled pussy on her breath...

A catholic priest has no fucking idea what that smells like.

That's not necessarily true. Some guys get the call to the priesthood late in life, after they've been married and had a career. There are even a few priests who are currently married.

[D1B]

A catholic priest has no fucking idea what that smells like.

It was only a matter of time.

How embarrassed you must be, your church being an easy joke and all.

[andy7171]

It was only a matter of time.

How embarrassed you must be, your church being an easy joke and all.

Things like this are embarrassing. But when you say the church is being run by fucking idiots, are you saying they shouldn't have suspended this priest?

[dbackjon]

Growing up Methodist, we never denied communion to anyone - believing that is a matter between God and the person receiving it.


Confession time - I have taken communion at Catholic Churches - at weddings (where I was in the wedding party), funerals, and at my godson's baptism. I took communion out of respect for the people that I was there FOR, not for myself.

Out of respect for the deceased, who sounds like she was in good standing with the church, her daughter should have been allowed to take communion with no fuss - and apparantly the Church agrees with me

[D1B]

How embarrassed you must be, your church being an easy joke and all.

Things like this are embarrassing. But when you say the church is being run by fucking idiots, are you saying they shouldn't have suspended this priest?

I'm saying the priest should have just given her communion. Who gives a fuck? Now they have a mess, and already, like the child abuse scandal, theyre being evasive.

Fuck no they shouldn't have suspended him, he's doing the right thing, as far as the church is concerned. Jesus is no doubt appalled that a lesbian buddhist was allowed to drink his blood and eat his flesh!

[D1B]

Growing up Methodist, we never denied communion to anyone - believing that is a matter between God and the person receiving it.


Confession time - I have taken communion at Catholic Churches - at weddings (where I was in the wedding party), funerals, and at my godson's baptism. I took communion out of respect for the people that I was there FOR, not for myself.

Out of respect for the deceased, who sounds like she was in good standing with the church, her daughter should have been allowed to take communion with no fuss - and apparantly the Church agrees with me

SMFH and Jon. YOU of all people showing respect for that nonsense.

Uncle Tom.

[dbackjon]

Growing up Methodist, we never denied communion to anyone - believing that is a matter between God and the person receiving it.


Confession time - I have taken communion at Catholic Churches - at weddings (where I was in the wedding party), funerals, and at my godson's baptism. I took communion out of respect for the people that I was there FOR, not for myself.

Out of respect for the deceased, who sounds like she was in good standing with the church, her daughter should have been allowed to take communion with no fuss - and apparantly the Church agrees with me

SMFH and Jon. YOU of all people showing respect for that nonsense.

Uncle Tom.

You need to read and comprehend my good sir - not respect for the church, but for the people in my life that are Catholic - big difference.

[D1B]

SMFH and Jon. YOU of all people showing respect for that nonsense.

Uncle Tom.

You need to read and comprehend my good sir - not respect for the church, but for the people in my life that are Catholic - big difference.

Fuck that. Time to take the gloves off, Uncle Tom.


Your family would understand.

[blueballs]

When she went for the wafer the Priest smelled pussy on her breath...

A catholic priest has no fucking idea what that smells like.

Touche'