I guess in the Catholic church priests judge the congregants, not God.

I give him a standing ovation for having conviction....

What happened to the good ol USA?...where we HAD freedom for diagreement?

Why are we ALL caving in to political correctness?

BS!

I'm wondering if the priest asks everyone who comes up for communion "Are you in a state of grace? Are you sure? Really, really sure? Can you prove it?"

This priest is about as christian like as a pile of drying dog poop.

I would have done the same to a drunk . . .

What a dick!

The priest was ordained to be a conduit for the Christ, who loved everybody. He put his (and what the Church has become) political viewpoints ahead of his vows. Jesus would not have approved.

First of all, if you read the Bishop's letter, you will find NO mention of the incident with the lesbian within it. the Bishop has received MANY complaints about this renegade priest, from his staff to parishioners. I have NO idea why MSNBC includes the incident with the lesbian in the story. Sheesh!

This priest obviously has control issues and SHOULD be suspended from ministry. He should have been suspended MUCH sooner!

It's time we put an end to this crap. "Religious freedom" does not give any church the right to trample on the freedoms of individuals.

Thanks Mozzie,

Throughout this story I just think What would Jesus have done?

The first followers of Jesus Christ were the outcasts in their society. So, even if this priest thought that being a Lesbian qualified this woman to be an outcast, he should have embraced her.

Having grown up in the Catholic church, I am so disappointed by this and so many other political stands it is taking now, in 2012 for goodness sake!

In my life now, I must look to the teachings of Jesus and NOT the ridiculous regulations of the Catholic Church. It saddens me because it was such a big part of my childhood!

With religious organizations making political contributions, I say it's time we tax them.

Dear Father Marcel, I studied the same Bible in a Catholic school, it taught me Faith, Hope, Charity, Love and Tolerance.

It's a shame you find it inconvenient to practice what you preach. May the Lord bless you. Amen.

I was raised Catholic and I've never seen or heard anything like this. I feel that Ruken is correct, though (as he/she often is)...as long as they want political ground they'll need to pay taxes. But that's not here nor there. This priest was wrong.

Maybe after receiving communion the road becomes paved for Grace to enter. I often wonder which came first, the egg or the chicken. Jesus wouldn't have done this even to a drunk or an addict.

It is his own personal "man on dog" moment to compare homsexuality to being drunk or on drugs.This guy should be defrocked, but we all know the catholic church would never punish one of its own.They will just send him back to Moscow or anywhere they won't throw a fit over his open bigotry.

Jesus would have grabbed her, hugged her and told her he loves her, told everyone to drop their stones, made some wine, a few loafs of bread, got some fish and would tell stories as if they were long time friends.

They "removed his faculties.....to perform sacraments". What does that mean? Did they "unpriest" him? Remove his powers? How do they know? What is it he cannot do now?

What powers does the "arch" diocese have? Anyone know? Can they confer and remove someone else's power to turn bread into flesh and wine into blood (so that people can eat it)? That's what the church says happens, right?

Just askin'

Christine, although I don't agree with this particular priest's action, receiving Communion is NOT a right of any individual. There are rules created by the church that must be followed, and that IS the right of the church.

Christine, although I don't agree with this particular priest's action, receiving Communion is NOT a right of any individual. There are rules created by the church that must be followed, and that IS the right of the church.

But the Church says any violation is between you and God. It isn't the priest's place to interfere. This is why he got suspended.

They "removed his faculties.....to perform sacraments". What does that mean? Did they "unpriest" him?

walks-upright - while I suspect that your post is meant in jest, I believe they just suspended him, versus defrocking him (i.e. "unpriesting" him).

What? What?! Equating an act of choice with the attributes with which one is born?

RwEvans, you get my vote for best, most accurate comment on this thread. It brought tears to my eyes.

[although my Shadow goes with Sawyer's remark]

I'm a bit confused. Did Jesus say "only those without sin" can take communion? I thought it was something more like "everyone is a sinner, come to me and I will forgive you." Let's assume (just for arguments sake) that she WAS a sinner.. is denying her the body and blood of Christ through communion going to stop or remove that sin? Do they also denying baptism to those with sin? Do they not let them in their church services? How exactly does that do anything but push them further into their "sin" (again, by their definition.. not mine)?

and they wonder why so many leave the church

While it sounds like what he did was motivated out just being a jerk, I ultimately blame the Catholic church. Communion was instituted as a way of sharing an intimate experience and remembrance of Jesus' suffering - among believers and God. I find it strange that the Catholic church performs masses and holds communion at a funeral.

It's fine if you want to require that a person be a believer in order to participate in this intimate experience. Do it in an intimate setting - among believers. Should you place a requirement that people must be believers in order to mourn? Of course not. Don't put the two practices together. It's inappropriate at best. It's a funeral, not a worship service.

Let me start this by saying that I am not a Catholic and in fact not even a Christian, but I have read the bible I think I know it reasonably well. I think that the priest was correct in what he did, if not maybe in the way he did it. This woman knows full well that her lifestyle violates the teachings of the Catholic church and is a sin according to the bible. She should not have gone up to take communion to start with. This priest had the courage of his convictions and followed the teachings of his faith in denying this woman communion. The Catholic religion has proven on many occasions lately that they are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites, following the bible when it suits them and making exceptions when it suits them. This priest refused to be a hypocrite and followed the bible, he should not be penalized for doing so.

Mark from Bridgeport:

It's time we put an end to this crap. "IndividuAL freedom" does not give any person the right to trample on the freedom of worship.

There, I just fixed it for you. I don't think you're qualified to be the decider and decide that "individular" is a real word. As for the priest, I guess he can decide whether or not he wants to administer his "religosity" to people who wear certain clothes or to people who may have a problem and possibly need spiritual help. Perhaps he only wants to officiate over proper people...perfect people. I would wonder what kind of people would want that kind of spiritual "leader" to look up to.

It's the sad farce of moral equivalence that is the reason why so many people today don't understand right from wrong.

What does THAT mean? Seriously! Do you mean "moral ambivalence"? That would make that statement make a little more sense. But not much. Do you even know what a "farce" is? Big words and big ideas... I know, it's hard to grasp. Try using smaller words so your statements aren't a "sad farce" in their own right.

RW Evans

You put it right in as few words possible.

When did these HATE mongering animals take over the Christian Church. Oh sorry, they have been there since the 1400s.

Ruken, maybe I need to clarify: I was refuting Christine's seeming assertion that the Church doesn't have the right to make rules concerning communion. When I said "I don't agree with this particular priest's action", I meant that I don't think he acted correctly according to those rules.

John Diego:

No, I do not mean moral ambivalence, I mean moral equivalence (or, if you like, moral relativism). I'm sorry you don't seem to know what that means or how to use Google. Here's a pretty good description: http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/word/wyd082105.htm

There are deeds that are good (helping the old, caring for the sick, etc) and there are deeds which are bad (theft, lying, etc). Homosexual relationships are wrong in the eyes of the church. Done.

I'm well aware of what a farce is, are you aware of what right and wrong are? Just because YOU approve something does not make it right. There are all sorts of perfectly legal activities that the Church deems wrong (just as there have been for 2000 years). Don't like it? Don't belong. But don't be so intolerant!

Martin Luther was right in his 5 solas... you don't need a church or a minister/pastor as a middle man to your relationship with God. They have no say in the matter.

The catholic church is evil at its core and rotting outwards.

RwEvans, at 1.21, you get it! It's a shame that so many churches and supposed Christians don't.

Every day, people come up for Communion who are not in a state of grace. There are people who are in adulterous relationships. Those who beat their spouses or children. Some who steal, lie, and cheat. And yet there are no outward signs saying "I am a sinner - deny me Communion!". You can't leave it up to the priest to determine who is fit and who isn't fit. If a person has received the Sacraments, then it is between them and God whether they should receive Communion. We are all only human, and trying to follow the path Jesus set for us - none of us are perfect, and none of us are without sin.

If Communion were denied to every Catholic practicing artificial means of birth control, there would be VERY FEW recipients.....

I wonder if the buggering priests feel the same way...

I would have done the same to a drunk...

And as a drunk, I think that statement is also objectionable.

I found this:

Q. Under what circumstances can a Catholic priest deny someone the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?

A. It can be denied under the following circumstances:

1. The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist cannot be administered to members of other religions, and

2. The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist cannot be administered to those who voluntarily continue to live in grave sin.

Q. Where does it teach in the Catholic Church that the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist cannot be administered to those who voluntarily continue to live in grave sin?

A. This reference is found in Canon Law # Canon Law # 915.

Canon 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.

Q. Is this supported by the Holy Bible?

A. Yes, in the First Letter to the Corinthians, it states:

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworhty manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves." [1 Cor. 11:27-9]

The non-Catholics are unworthy of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ because they do not believe in the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, nor in the real Presence of the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Catholics who live in grave sin, such as in common-law relationship, practicing homosexuals, those who have not been to Church, nor received the Sacraments for over a year, etc... are unworthy of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ because they are not in a state of grace.

Q. Is there not the danger of causing a public scandal by denying someone the Holy Communion?

A. As a general rule, giving the person the benefit of the doubt, the priest will not deny the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. (This is not saying that the administration of the Sacrament was permitted. The person who receives the Body and Blood of Christ in an unworthy manner shall still be answerable to God.) Following the administration of the Sacrament, the priest is obligated before God, as a representative of the Holy Catholic Church and by conscience to meet with the person in private, to identify the state of the person's soul and to explain the teachings of the Church regarding the administration of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Should it be identified that the person is not in a state of grace, he/she will be notified that unless he/she changes his/her way of life, sincerely repent and receive the Sacrament of Confession, future administration of the Sacrament of the Holy Communion will be denied.

Should the person persist on approaching the Altar to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion after having been warned and the priest is absolutely sure that the person has not repented of his/her sins, then, the priest is obligated to deny the person the Sacrament.

Should the person create a scene after having been warned, it shall not be the priest, but rather the person, who shall be responsible for creating the public scandal that draws attention to his/her status before God.

Nicely taken out of context...props...Don't tell the Pope, but only God can judge the heart of humans. the letter was an instruction to the whole of the membership of the church and since we can't judge per jesus' instuctions, it is based on a conviction on the person between them and God, not the pope or a priest.

The wonders of religious freedom in this country make it clear that if you don't like a church you can go find a different one or not go at all.

This Priest clearly excercised his religious convictions, which in this country is allowed.

If you think this was harsh try going to a muslim preyer service as anything except a muslim!

@Mark from Bridgeport And what the catholic church approves is right? Also, the Catholic church has only been around for about 1700 years...

In the original story pertaing to thos woman and priest, it was noted that the preist said that they make the rules. for me this is an admitance that god, Church and Religion is all man made and there is no su=ch toing as a god to begin with. Just another business that a bunch of charlatans are running and robbing the people fo rhtie monies to suppoer their causes and their lifestyles.

The bigger chuch and religion gets, the bigger the homelessness and hungry population grows as well.

The real question here is, "Where the hell is all these billion per year going that these churches are raking in?"

Save your time, money and family and leave all these church and religions to crumble to the ground. you will prosper and do much better in life without church and religion in it.

If you want to help your neighbor. Hep them directly and cut out the middleman (church) that takes their 90% cut of your donations before helping anyone. These charlatans are only interested in helping themselves more than helping those that they claim they are helping.

TAX all church and religions or shut them all down.

The Freedom of Religion that is still exists in this country allows a relious organization to administer or deny its religious rites (not to be confused with rights) to anyone that it sees fit. Our country and its laws do not recognize a personal "right" to force a church to let a person participate in any way. Nor should it. That is what freedom of religion means.

And on the subject of what Jesus would do: He did not give a hug to the woman caught in adultery, nor did He tell her that her sins were forgiven. He prevented her from being executed and told her to go and SIN NO MORE (my emphasis added). He always loved the sinner. But He was absolutely intolerant of sin.

This illustrates what is wrong in this once great nation. Every one thinks they can make all their own rules and must force the rest of us to abide by them. This priest was absolutely right, and should be congratulated for his actions. It is not the world who must change to agree with you, it you who must abide by the rules. You understand the rules and go along with them, not change them to go with your beliefs. I personally don't care who you sleep with, just don't try and force me to go along with you. We were all brought up to follow the rules yet when we become adults we believe that those rules should be changed to go along with our beliefs. In the years gone by, the lady would have been force-ably ejected from the church for such actions, yet today in the politically correct world, we will toss the god loving priest into the pit for following the rules of the church that have been in effect for what some two thousand years now because some idiot hippies of the 60's now try to write the rules for the rest of us. God save these United States of America and let us get back with the program of a free and independent nation of LAWS!

Throughout this story I just think What would Jesus have done?

This is really a very easy question to answer in regard to the Catholic church. Read the Gospels, and review Jesus' rebuke of the Sadducees. They represent basically the same religious order. You can look at evangelicals, and review His rebukes of the Pharisees, who represent that order fairly well. They were both dead wrong in the eyes of Jesus, so if you believe that Jesus is God on earth, then these organizations are still dead wrong.

Myles

yeah, but didn't he hang out with her and i am sure had many dinners, lunches, ran around the country a bit with her and a bunch of folks who were sinners that he called brothers and such...people never stop sinning and just because we don't read of a hug, we read of love for all humans, all of God's children and his love has never been matched, I am sure there were more hugs, slaps on the shoulders, and laughs than what we have read....nice try though.

Gotta go with the priest here. Just because someone takes offense does not mean they are entitled to have it redressed. Communion is not a one-way thing. It requires parishioner and priest to participate. Neither one can command the other.

Where did the idea come from that priests were obligated to perform sacraments on command?

Where did the idea that a priest should insult someone at their mother's funeral come from?

This is a Catholic church. It is not up to the congregation to make that decision.

Rev. Guarnizo was power-tripping. A little humility will be good for his soul.

We're all equal in god's eyes, I've heard this over and over, but apparently some people feel the right to judge others and feel superior. If this guy represents the ideal, I'd shop elsewhere.

If the priest felt she had "fallen away" and was "living in sin", instead of rebuking and embarrassing her, he should have offered her comfort. Or have some Christians forgotten their mission?

This event is only news because Ms. Johnson chose to make it news. The priest quietly informed her that he would not admit her to communion. She would have just walked away but chose to make this a story. There is plenty of "right" and "wrong" on both sides here. Ms. Johnson is aware that the teaching of the Catholic Church holds that engaging in a lesbian relationship is considered sinful and that it would normally disqualify her from receiving communion as she is not repentent of her sin and has no intent to stop engaging in the sinful behavior. (Please - before you rip me a new one, I am not saying that I think her behavior is sinful, only that the Catholic Church does.) The teachings of the Church are not democratically determine by the faithful but are determined by the order of bishops as they interpret both scripture and tradition. If you want to be a Roman Catholic you accept the teachings of the Church. If you don't want to accept the Church's teaching then feel free to join a religious tradition with teachings that you do accept.

Father Guarnizo, on the other hand, could have demonstrated some pastoral sensitivity and given Ms. Johnson communion. Neither the integrity of the host nor Ms. Johnson's soul would have been damaged by the reception of communion. While probably a correct action in terms of Canon Law, not the right action in the spirit of Christ.

My Great Grandfather was a poor coal miner. One Sunday after the collection plate was passed the priest threw a fit and demanded to know "Who put the silver money in the collection plate." My Great Grandfather stood up walked up to the front of the church and told the priest "I did." He took his silver out of the collection plate and told the good father "Now, you can stick your church up your ass." and that's how we came to be Methodists. Amen.

I don't attend church myself. I believe in being good for the sake of being good, not to please any all powerful being looking over my shoulder. In my opnion that makes me a better "Christian" than the hypocrites who screw other people six days a week and beg forgiveness on Sunday so they can start the next week with a clean slate.

My brother was dating a nice catholic girl with a dilemma. That being that she found out that her last boyfriend knocked her up. Instead of going back to him she aborted the pregnancy so she could persue my brother. Dilemma solved. I believe a woman has the right to make her own choice but that always disgusted me. I always thought that her mother who was always attending anti abortion rallies and her sister who could not have children of her own should know this about her especially when she looked down her nose at our side of the family. She's dead now and I never revealed to her what she raised( it didn't seem like the christian thing to do).When this God fearing woman decided to move on to greener pastures after 8 years and three kids (to a man who was more interested in the children than her) my brother visited the catholic priest who married them. He listened to all my brother had to say and then asked a rhetorical question. "You know her parents donate a lot of money to the church." I figured he was just a little jaded to the plight of molested kids and a good businessman.

I'm a bit confused. Did Jesus say "only those without sin" can take communion?

This is a common fallacy that needs to be addressed.

JESUS WAS A JEW. He did not found the Catholic church. He did not found any religion. He did not invent Catholic dogma. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew and died a Jew.

As for the uppity priest, maybe his first thought should have been compassion for a woman who had lost her mother and was in a state of grief and shock. Maybe he should have understood that his role was to comfort the bereaved. Maybe he should have helped her instead of judging her. Maybe he would have won her as a convert to his church. But what do I know...I'm not knowingly a member of any pedophile-harboring institution.

Why do people stay in this church again?

What a worthless religion.

So outdated, so wrong on just about every subject. A religion of sheeple being controlled by power hungry misogynist pedophiles that pick your pockets clean while endangering your children and being racist and sexist.

i wonder if all the child molesting and the corrupt priest are all getting Communion tonight? I hope there is a hell there will be a lot of priest at the front of the line.

He must be hiding out from the atrocities likely committed in Russia.

Is he on loanaphile?

I am not Catholic, have never been baptized, have never belonged to any church or any denomination (i.e. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Wiccan, etc.) BUT I did teach 2nd grade at a private Catholic school. My class had the most non-Catholics (5), not including myself. On my very first day, I told the class that I was not Catholic - so I would not be going up for communion - and told them they could ask me any questions they wanted...they were young, so I didn't have any difficult questions, I mostly wanted the non-Catholics to know that I would be sitting with them during communion (twice a week at at school). No problem.

We had two Priests, one older who had a dislike of children, one younger who I was 99% positive was gay but that was fine with me, he was not a pedophile or anything of the sort, and it was his first year at the Church and school. I enjoyed his homilies the most because he was very inclusive - and spoke in a way the younger children could understand.

Some months after I had been teaching, he started a sermon with something like "How many of you look forward to going to Heaven since you have been baptized in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?" Of course all students (K-8) raised their had in unison, I did not raise my hand. Several of my students saw that and said: "Miss ......, hurry up and raise your hand so you can go to Heaven too!" .... This caused a bit of a commotion, which the priest noticed. He asked one of my students what was wrong - they were 7-8 years old, she said, Miss ..... isn't baptized and I want her in Heaven too." This priest did a wonderful job of assuring the children that I, and the other children who were not baptized could get into Heaven if we were good people, etc.. Much to the relief of the girl who raised her voice for me to raise my hand :).

This case is different, it was a funeral - lesbian or not, she was raised in the Catholic faith - she believed in her baptism, communion, etc.. or she would not have gone to receive it. I hope no children heard what this man did to her - young minds are different (raise your hand to get to Heaven)... I have no right to tell the Catholic church what to do, I am not Catholic - but not everything is about religion here. I believe this woman is Catholic and certainly at her mother's funeral, it is her right to receive communion because she believes in the Holy Trinity - and she was born gay - baptized gay, was gay at her first communion... This priest is not the authority on the science of being born gay - he should have shut up...he should know that there are plenty of people who have "sinned" in the "eyes" of the Church but who get communion every week or on Easter and Christmas only... At the very least this priest was extremely insensitive and judgemental in front of many people - people who came to grieve the loss of a loved one...if that is the time that one chooses to be judgemental - they are truly mean-spirited and not fit for any religion.

Interesting to read the many comments of those identifying themselves as non-Catholics or non-Christians. Every religion is man made. The founders and maintainers of which each believing in a higher power from whom they feel they have gotten their direction in setting the rules and processes of the religion. Some of the teachings for Christians are given in the Bible (of which there are multiple versions depending on the specific religion). Other teachings come in various forms like the 10 Commandments. The Pope and ordained priests in the Catholic religion as well as others such as deacons are charged with carrying out various duties to see that the basic tenents of the Catholic faith are adhered to. Only ministers, for example, can administer communion but cannot consecrate the commumion. The sacrament of Penance provides a means for sinners to return to the grace of the Lord so that they may receive Communion. The sacrament of the last rites allows one to return to a state of grace upon nearness of death when they may not be able to exercise Penance. The congregations and parishes of the church are gatheriings of believers in a particular locale. They do not set the rules. There are processes in the Catholic church that provide for changes to the tenents of the church. I practice the Catholic religion. Tradition and ceremony play a large part in most religions. Some of the newer traditions of the Catholic church - like having lay people give communion - I do not participate in. I always take communion under one form and only given by an ordained priest. I never touch the host. These were traditions that I was taught when I went to Catechism to learn about the Catholic religion. I embrace those and feel religion is without time. As such, I believe traditions should stand and not be governed by political or societal changes. This is INDIVIDUAL to me in how I practice and respect my religion. I expect a priest to admonish me when I fall out of the practice of the church and he becomes aware of it. If others do not like the way I practice my religion that is their burden. It is not mine. The court of public opinion is just that - OPINION!! The priest followed his conscience. He did not seek the the knowledge of the person's sexual orientation but upon learing of it he had a moral obligation to the Church to withhold communion. His knowledge was that this person was a practicing homosexual and seemingly had no inclination to change from that behavior. He did the right thing for the right reasons. Shame on the church elders for not backing this priest.

"Right to communion" doesn't exist.

In response to the original post, she was not a "congregant"....she was a guest of the church, not a member.

I'm guessing you know very little about religion if you don't even know the difference.

had to make the decision...lickety split...i guess...

Timothy1Mil When in church, you go by church rules

And this is exactly why there is a problem with religious zealots. According to you the church makes rules? That means the that means that the written teachings are no longer valid because each Pastor/Priest/Reverend/etc. is in charge of what the congregation can/can not do.

I think TIMOTHY1MIL hit it on the head (but may not have been trying to make this point):

"When in church, you go by church rules."

this isnt about GOD, JESUS CHRIST, THE BIBLE or FAITH

it's about a church, it's rules, it's power and it's ego...nothing more, and nothing less

and THIS is why so many people turn away from GOD...it's not about GOD anymore

it's about Father Marcel and what PERSONALLY OFFENDS him...

leave the judgement to GOD, the churches should be nothing but open arms...giving people a PATH to GOD, not the giddy power trip to SLAM THE DOORS in peoples faces they THINK GOD would disapprove of anyway.

FYI - The New Testament didnt say homosexuality is a sin, and it spent next to ZERO time talking about it.

it's a shame modern christians spend SO MUCH TIME focused on it.

and I suspect, Father Marcel has allowed more than a few adulterers take communion...of course, how could he know? They werent wearing SCARLET LETTERS on their clothes.

If only this lesbian hadnt looked so "lesbian" or acted so "lesbian"...he accidentally might have let her slip through the gates into heaven, OH HORRORS!

Why do you suppose there are so many denominations?

Personally, I think it takes unmitigated gall to go to a church that you've already rejected as a value system and DEMAND to participate in one of their most sacred rituals knowing full well that you don't meet the criteria to partiicpate. It's like a big F U. I understand this and I'm an athiest, ffs. This lesbian woman, who previously had left the Catholic faith for others, knew she was violating Catholic teaching and practice and said "Give it to me or I'm gonna cry about it like a baby." I support the Priest for being true to the teachings of his faith regarding who can receive the sacrament and absolutely think the lesbian woman owes the priest as well as those in attendance an apology for trampling their "sacred" ritual.

It's no different than taking a pulled pork sammich to a mosque and stuffing your face...funeral or not.

The priest is obviously one of those few Christians who actually believe that God will hold you accountable for your actions; according to the Church teachings, he was right to deny the sacrament as a priest to somone OBVIOUSLY not eligible to partake. His conscience is clear. For those of you who think Jesus would have been all "lovey-dovey" with the lesbian...he would have told her "go and sin no more" if she repented of her sin...which, from the article, appears she would have bawked at. She's not only unrepentant...she's belligerent about her homosexuality.

The punitive, intolerant attitude of the Catholic church, its refusal to include all people, and its whitewashing of centuries of atrocities has brought it to its current dismal state.

It is a dying institution, gasping for its last breath, clawing at humanity.

It is time to move away from the corruption of the Catholic church and turn toward the truth of Jesus.

sobi

Might be because more and more people are unwilling to make a committment to something. Obviously by your post you don't understand that.

Everyone is asking what Jesus would do. I think he demonstated that when he told the woman who was about to be stoned, "you are forgiven, go and sin no more". He will forgive our sins but we must also turn from our sins.

Sometimes in life my dear, if you break the rules you pay the consequences. Liberals want to change peoples rules , too bad !

Mark, I offered no clues as to my level of commitment, ability to commit, belief about committing or anything else that justifies your conclusion. I think it is fair to say, with a Freudian eyebrow lifted ever so slightly, that the conclusion stems from your own psyche.

I think a lot of you are missing the point here. Read anything I have wrote in the past, I am very much supportive and for the complete and total equality of gays in America. I support gay marriage 100%, actually defend it and equate it to no different than civil rights. I am also an atheist and proud of it, but have tolerance of those who want to believe in religion or magic or whatever they want, just keep it away from me.

This however is different. Hate me for it, but I think the priest was right. This is without a doubt Catholic policy. I wholeheartedly disagree with the policy, as I do most things about the Catholic church, but the priest stood firm on the stated policy. Hate the policy, not the one who enforces it. Also remember she went into their church.

I take exception to those of you who insult the Catholic Church and all of us "sheeple" who are in it. I disagree with what this priest did, absolutely. But I consider myself a faithful Catholic and in no way do I consider myself a sheep, or blind follower. Don't insult an entire faith because of the actions of one man (whose actions have also been criticized by his superiors in the Church). Plenty of people get spiritual guidance from the Church, that does make them better people throughout their lives. You have no right to insult me or all the wonderful people I encounter at Church every Sunday. The Catholic Church does far more good every day -- just ask those helped by Catholic Charities. The whole Church does not deserve to be tarred by your brush.

This comment is to answer the question from walks upright. I think when they were speaking of removing his faculties to give communion, they were speaking of the priest who was replaced by the priest who refused the lesbian communion. From the sound of the article he removed his own faculties to give communion, which probably means he did not consider himself to be in a state of grace. You not only need to be in a state of grace to receive communion but also to give it or even prepare or handle it. I hope this helps to clarify to you what was meant. At least you asked instead of just spouting opinions when you do not understand the rules like some commentators;)

army, I would agree with you if this had happened on an ordinary Sunday morning in church.

But this was her mother's funeral.

I'm not religious in a conventional sense, but I understand the need of many to find comfort and guidance in religion. If religion offers up a slap to the face instead, of what value is it in our lives?

As their dogma is more important than love and compassion, the Catholic church should not be surprised at its coming demise.

Romillio has it exactly right. If she is openly committing sin right in front of the priest by declaring that the woman with her is her lover, then technically he can deny communion.

Same thing if a guy comes into church with his girlfriend, and the priest knows it's not his wife.

Or if you are drinking a beer in the pews.

The critical thing is that there is no gray area when the priest sees it with his own eyes.

-

As for taxation, I thought there was some kind of separation of State and Church.

You can't have a nativity scene at city hall, then you can't tax a church.

Otherwise State and Church are not separate.

Now if you would prefer we use the actual Constitution that simply says : Congress (the House and Senate) cannot pass a Law (they can pass non-binding resolutions) that establishes a religion, well I'm all for it.

Of course, city hall isn't Congress. And a nativity scene isn't a Law. Oh, and the nativity scene certainly doesn't establish a religion - what would that religion be called? "Nativity on the City Hall Lawn" Do you just meet there on Sundays?

-

The Diocese has chosen to not have him say mass at their churches. That is their right. Communion is not a right or a entitlement. The church also has the right to decide who gets communion.

Trying hard to justify needed compassion for your sins ....

The catholic church is phucked up on so many different levels.

Sanctimonious, pedophilic azzholes.

for any homosexual to claim any religion while not repenting their sins is exactly why they will never be with their creator. if you know you are sinning and dont make an effort to stop the sinning and repent, then why do you profess belief in something that makes you repent your sins? homosexuality is not gods work nor is it natural to our species but hey if you want to pack feces or strap-on for a ride then that is your right as a free-citizen but you do not have the right to tell other people they need to do what you want them too do. communion is not a right, it is a privilege given by religion.

this pastor was well within his personal rights to not give communion to a perpetual sinner, if his employers felt otherwise then that is between the pastor and his employer not this lady-man. no one has to accept homosexuality, not a damn person needs to accept a damn thing in life, we are free to be who we want to be.

Stop forcing people to accept something they believe to be wrong because its not your right to tell others how they should think. there are more important things in the world to deal with rather than some pissy lezbo who thinks communion will matter in her life, she should not be catholic because she should know her god condemns perpetual sinners.

p.s. jesus accepted everyone who accepted jesus!!!! he did not accept the ones who knowingly sinned, never repented their sins and spread the sins. just because someone does not like something or someone does not equate to hate, its is the accuser of hate who hates

kaybee,

I know, and I admit that is where I am little split on the issue. Saying that though, I want the religious types to stay away from me and leave me alone, I kind of think the respect should go both ways. It is hard for me to justify saying I do not want them to tell me how to live my life or what to do, and then say they should be accepting of her regardless of their beliefs. I draw the line when they infringe on her rights (marriage, equal treatment, etc), but in this case it is not a right to go into their church, and receive their sacrement.

Think for a second, y'all. The bread represents the body of Christ. Would Jesus have demanded to 'eat' himself? Perhaps, if he were gay. He did surround himself with young men, never married and never had a girl friend of record.

Anyways, it would seem the Shakers may have had it right...no sex, which is why all good Christians have been extinct for some time now. Hmmmm.

This discussion is NOT about the "right to communion"... so get off that.

People are simply pointing out the numerous contradictions, fallacies, and hypocrisy of this church... and every church, for that matter.

Did she have a "right" to it? Technically, no. Was the priest a giant d***, to do that on her mother's funeral? Yes. Was the priest "Christ-like"? Hell no, not even close.

But remember, the Catholic church does not follow the life of Jesus. They follow a bunch of archaic rules, created to control populations and give themselves power. How people still follow an organization that has a bloody history of genocide, hate, intolerance, greed and child molestation is
beyond me.

This man has no charity in his soul. How could he judge that she was unworthy and then not to attend the burial was a slap in the face to the family.

Swagganaut, you just contradicted your own statements. If 'we are free to be who we want to be,' then your case in point is moot. Everyone sins EVERY DAY, turns around and asks for forgiveness EVERY DAY. Pretty convenient to have a get out of hell free card whenever you need it, eh? I know this might shock you and burst the bubble you live in, but even those of 'the cloth' sin EVERY DAY. The 'Church' is the biggest BUSINESS in the world going for 2,000 years and counting.

Romilio uses the catechism of the catholic church to its full purpose... to explain and back up the reasonings of the priest to its full extent. people are looking at this too emotionally because they want to feel sorry about the lesbian! people that are going to critiize the teachings of the catholic church should read the teachings themselves and understand that all the father simply did was do his job. granted he didnt have to be the one to judge, but then again isnt he just human like all of us? isnt he allowed to make mistakes? the woman didnt need to add fuel to the fire and make a big deal out of this but she did. it was her choice to go and recieve communion FULLY UNDERSTANDING that she is living in sin. it will be her responsibility to answer to God when she dies but yes the preist was doing what he felt was necessary. she was already living in sin and by taking the host she commited another sin by not having a clean heart when recieving. come on people im all for equal rights here but the minute that the preist makes a judgement call, we wanna run up and crucify him for it? (pun intended) all im saying is that he shouldnt have been the one to make the judgement call, but still he would have been going against his preistly voactions if he did give her the communion; and the woman shouldnt have been recieving if she knew she was living in sin. she deserves to be treated equally as everybody but sadly shes not equal. i dont mean this to be messed up or homophobic but homosexuality is not of God. as much as we try and run away from it, we will never see the truth if we keep trying to run away or say that its ok. God DOES want us to be happy.. but not on our terms. HIS WILL BE DONE NOT MINE. it wasnt adam and john or eve and jane. both parties did not go about this the way God would have wanted it to. done bad judgement call. get over it.

As a Christian who grew up Catholic, and disagrees with many of their ideas of religion and ceremony, and thus no longer attend the Catholic Church, I will firmly side with the Priest here. I don't go in the Catholic Church and disrespect their traditions and style of worship because I disagree with them, I don't go and act out in their place of worship, and I don't expect a Catholic to come to a Protestant Church and disrespect people in their place of worship.

When the original story broke I posed the same question this priest brought up, what if the person was clearly drunk, stumbling down the aisle, reeking of alcohol, downing shots in the pew before mass, would he not quite clearly by his own beliefs be required to prevent this person from taking part in a ceremony he clearly is not fit to be a part of? You can think whatever you want about homosexuality and gay rights, you can cross dress and run up and down with a rainbow flag in the streets if you want, that is your freedom. But you then have to give the same rights to others to disagree. I honestly can't beleive that someone claimed that this priest was "infringing upon her rights." You as a human being do not have a constitutional right to go into a Catholic Church and get communinion. Members of the chuch have to go through very clear steps to be authorized to do so. And yes while the priest doesn't wave each person aside he doesn't recognize or thinks may be sinning aside to question them, if someone is clearly not in line with the rules of the chuch, he has the right to say so. Communion in all Christian practices is an important symbolic ritual to show those present that we beleive that Christ died to forgive our sins. If you do not believe this, then you have no reason to want to take part in the ceremony unless you have a pentant for unleven bread and grape juice, or want to stir up controversy. I don't beleive this person had any "right" to communion, and I would say the same thing if someone tried to go into a Jewish Temple, of Muslim Mosque, and trample on their ceremonies in the supposed name of "equality."

Again, I disagree with a lot that the Catholic Church practices and stands for, and the result of that disagreement is that I do not attend their Church. I feel no desire or "right" to go in there and make a mockery of what they practice just because I personally feel differently. That is what religious freedom is about.

Every church has the right to decide its own practices and policies - including disciplining a priest whose conduct is unacceptable to church leadership.

I'm not Catholic, and I think Communion is stupid, however, pretty sure Jesus taught "judge not, lest ye be judged". This is the problem with the concept of confession, the priest gets such a big head he actually believes he's in charge of judging in place of God!

The Catholic funeral was for Ms Johnson's mother. Why did this woman make it about herself and turn it into a media circus? Seems rather obnoxious and selfish. I think the issue is more about respect than religion.

i am for full seperation. Catholic charitie recieive over $2.5B Yeah $2.500,000,000 in taxpayer funds a year. Thats over half of its budget. If it wants to get by by its own rules, let their people pay for it.

Thank you WyNot. Someone else who gets it. It doesn't matter if you agree with the Catholic Church's beliefs or not, it matters that they are allowed to determine their own beliefs and traditions, and it is not the right of any person to walk in and make a mockery of those traditions to bring attention to themselves.

"Fantomdog

Swagganaut, you just contradicted your own statements. If 'we are free to be who we want to be,' then your case in point is moot. Everyone sins EVERY DAY, turns around and asks for forgiveness EVERY DAY. Pretty convenient to have a get out of hell free card whenever you need it, eh? I know this might shock you and burst the bubble you live in, but even those of 'the cloth' sin EVERY DAY. The 'Church' is the biggest BUSINESS in the world going"

no contradiction here, i dont think you understand what contradiction means. everyone does not sin so dont know where you get your info but there are plenty of people who live by the teaching of jesus and many who dont, who lead as close to a perfect life as they can get. the list of sins are not like some long list thats impossible to follow, its pretty straightforward and just saying a few words does not absolve you of your sins in the eyes of god. im no fan of catholicism so im not going to defend their practices as the right path but they do have the right to deny whoever they please.

freedom and religion do not go together, religion has many strict rules to follow that would impede an otherwise free man, but at the same time a free man does not have the right to tell any religion how they should act unless they are preventing the free man from being free, in this case a free woman who chooses to follow catholic practices is denied a service due to being an unrepentant sinner. religion is a choice and god gave us free-will so we can make that choice if we want, it is a test.

honestly this is a non-story and is of no ones concern as no law or rights were violated, i see this only as a distraction from more important issues, which is troubling and progressive in our failing society.

I just "love" how Ms. Johnson, (she is a woman, although you wouldn't know it bylooking at her), and the Liberal News Media and GLBT Activists are trying to REWRITE this story after the fact, and how every recent article, blog, or commentary, want to leave out very important FACTS, that originally got Ms Johnson and her partner no SYMPATHY at all.

First, when Ms. Johnson first met with the priest to finalize the details of Funeral Mass for her mother she took her partner with her and announced to the priest that they were lesbians in a ACTIVE PHYSICAL relationship, (of which her mother did not approve), and that she WAS NOT A PRACTICING Catholic, but a Buddhist, But that regardless of what he and the "CHURCH" had to say she would be TAKING COMMUNION during the service. It was at this point, in private, in his office that the priest first informed Ms. Johnson that under Catholic Church doctrine she was not eligible to receive the sacrament and why and that he would thus be unable to serve her the Sacrament. He further informed her that if she choose to come up during the Funeral Mass, she would be refused.

This Pi$$ed Johnson off so much she "stormed" about it and everything else about the service until it began. Saying she would show that @#%%##% SOB who he was messing with repeatedly. She then choose to continue to push her activist agenda at her own mothers funeral by going up to try and "GRAB" the elements.

Do a little research on this women and you will see she has been a very militant and hostile Gay rights activist for years and this isn't the first time she has done something like this "For the Cause".

She brought this entire situation upon herself. Now she is trying to change the story because it backfired on her.

Drewbuddy - "

In 2008, Catholic Charities agencies served over 8 million individuals.

Together, with the local, diocesan-associated Catholic Charities, it is the second largest social service provider in the United States, surpassed only by the federal government"

The majority of their funds come from donations.

They serve non-Catholics as well as Catholics.

The Federal Gov't figured out that they distribute 89 cents of every dollar. Welfare, by comparison distributes a mere 70 cents on the dollar.

So it comes down to a matter of efficiency.

"This priest was absolutely right"

Absolute is a hard target to define, and it is usually done so by the terminally ignorant and self-absorbed.

hdpjtf -

Where did you get the details on this story?

What you say sounds very likely, but do you have a link?

The Catholic Church has been denying communion to people that were not Catholic for years. I have a friend that is a Methodist Minister and the priest skipped right over him during communion. As a Methodist I believe that communion is for everyone that comes to the table with a heart of repentance but I think people are getting a little to bent out of shape on this. I have seen the world hate monger and worse. Light up Frances!

This man is a total PIG

There is nothing redeeming yu can say about him.

And then he equates this to drunkenness or drug abuse.

FILTH

Defrock him and send him to Rev Phelps Westboro Baptist Church (Which is not a Baptist Congregation)

Timothy1Mil, You my friend hit the nail on the head! You don't go into a gay bar and tell the patrons how to be gay! Be it the family of the deceased or the mother herself,chose this sanctuary for the service. The daughter knew good and well what was protocal,yet cared little about anything but herself. Young suburban white kids know better than to go to a urban black nightclub and throw around the "N" word. So,why did she think she would be treated any different? She aint Rosa Parks. And if she is,then the white kids have rights,too

Ryan hgpdtf has no source

If any if that was even remotely true the Church would not have suspended him.

And BTW Bhuddism is a philosophy mostly in the US, my Catholic Partner attends Bhuddist events has found some peace though what it teaches, but he is still a Catholic 100% (Rosary by the bed, Scapular, Mass, etc) A jewish lady in my office is the same, Hannukkah, Passover etc but A Bhuddist as well.

So the very statement made by hgpdtf is ridiculous.

The start of her statement shows he is full of gay hate (Referring to her as a woman 'not that you could tell'

The Church suspended him, I think that makes it clear

The problem with most of you who are so outraged is that you think the Catholic Church is, or should be, Democratic! The REALITY is, it is DOGMATIC! It is THEIR religion and it runs by THEIR rules! Many American Catholics "think" it is their RIGHT to "take the pill" or other methods of artificial birth control but the Catholic Church is adamantly opposed to it and using it is a SIN in their eyes!

Many American Catholics(?) believe the Catholic Religion is a Buffet Religion but it isn't. The RULES are strict and rigid and if you don't feel you should adhere to them then it is time to find another group to worship with because they, the church, REALLY doesn't want YOU! That is a bit of a misnomer because they do want you to repent and be among the "fold" but if you don't tow the line they don't want you to participate in their sacraments.

No one FORCES any Catholic to be a Catholic! Those days are ancient HISTORY and are not embraced by the Catholic Church. You might be born and raised in the Catholic religion but once you attain the age of reason it is YOUR choice to stay or go! If you cannot/will not adhere to the teachings of the church then, by definition, you are NOT a Catholic, at all.

If the reported story is correct, that she introduced her "friend" as her lover to the priest then she also introduced herself as NOT BEING A CATHOLIC! She did, however, as a Baptized Catholic, have the option of having her confession heard and be forgiven for her past sins but it seems like she decided to FLAUNT her sexual bent instead.

That being the case, the Priest was bound by his vows of Priesthood to withhold communion from her. Too bad she had to try making THIS Priest her test case to force the Catholic Church to accept her, in their eyes, sinful life style.

It wouldn't make any difference if every gay person on the planet showed up with signs at the Vatican, it would NEVER be accepted by the Catholic Church, Period!!!

That the priest was suspended does not necessarily equate to him having done something wrong. As he was following official Catholic Church rules, the fact that he's being disciplined for a "policy" of the local ministry only leads one to believe it's spin control...they're making the father take on for the team so they can try to do some PR work.

@DocHolliday-2979123 - there is a time for conviction and it is not at the funeral of someone's mother.

Jesus accepted everyone. It is sad that people that should be supporting his work have degenerated into hateful bigots, as seen by this priest and many of the bishops from the Catholic church. The Catholic church needs to clean house from top to bottom to regain any kind of moral authority.

Is this Priest comparing Gays and Lesbians to Drunks? This is what the Catholic Church is all about. It's isn't just this one incident, this group of people promote hate at every turn. Even right now at trials for Pedophile Priests the Catholic Lawyers will call in gay support groups to testify on items that have nothing to do with the case just to cost them money.

MacMantoo, that is just not true. This particular priest is misguided, and, to be sure, there are others like him, but the vast majority of priests give communion to known gays and lesbians every week. The Catholic Church is not about hate, as evidenced by the reaction of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Chris: no one is saying that all priests are bad; but they do have a big problem with hate and bigotry, as exhibited by this priest and many bishops getting involved in politics and pushing the war on women. The church needs to make it clear than these bishops and this priest do not represent the direction of the church ... they should be fired. These bishops, and people like Santorum, are creating the perception that the Catholic Church has become the church of hate and bigotry. My old Irish priest would be rolling over in his grave if he saw what they are doing today.

Steve-- actually, no, Jesus didn't accept everyone as they are-- remember the woman at the well? "Go, and sin no more," is what he told her. Did he accept the money changers in the temple? Nope. He threw their behinds out and turned over their tables. Did he accept the Pharisees whom he called white washed sepulchers? Nope. He accepts everyone, though, after they repent. I'm not Catholic, although was raised one. I know there are definite "rules" so to speak for who can receive communion. While I've never heard of anyone being denied, I applaud the priest for standing by his convictions. Perhaps he could have been more sensitive-- could he have approached the woman prior to Mass? Did this woman have a viewing? I can't imagine that was the first time he'd seen the daughter-- but living by one's convictions is supposed to be a good thing.

Not a Catholic here, but this gal and her partner and family are out of line for wanting special dismissal of "their" Church's well known rules/teachings,etc. simply because it was a funeral. Join another church if you don't want to follow the Catholic teachings; there are plenty to pick from. Must have been at least an unconscious agenda of some type, to try to be so "in your face" and almost dare the priest to uphold the teachings. A funeral is no place to make it be "all about you."

Steve, many people are insinuating that most, if not all, priests are bad. While I disagree that the church has a problem with hate and bigotry, I agree that they have a perception problem. Their detractors, many of whom know very little about the church, are framing the debate about them. The reason the bishops got involved in politics is that they were forced to by the Obama administration, and I don't think they are waging a war on women. They don't want to have to pay for something that is against their principles - they are not forbidding their employees from using contraception. They just think that those employees should have to pay for their own. Santorum has a lot of strange ideas about what the government should and should not do. It's very sad that he is becoming the face of the Catholic Church in America.

I imagine being Catholic and LGBT at the same time is challenging. I don't understand Catholicism well, but it seems to me as people don't intentionally choose to be gay, any sins their relationship cause would be venial sins, and easily absolved in confession. These articles never really tell the whole story, but based on my limited knowledge of Catholicism, I would have to assume that if Johnson had confessed to her own priest and been absolved of any previous sins, she would indeed have been in the state of grace required to receive the Communion. It also seems to me if this Priest was doing his job and was really concerned about her state of grace, he would have offered her confession prior to the Communion.

A funeral is no place to make it be "all about you."

What is a funeral supposed to be about??? Is it not a time to honor the deceased and comfort the bereaved????

This woman's mother and her family was what the funeral was all about.

When my mother dies, I'm certainly going to make sure that the celebrant treats everyone who comes to her funeral with compassion and respect. To do otherwise would dishonor my mother, who would never stand to have her friends and family treated so unkindly.

The Catholic church has lost its way. How that is not glaringly, blindingly obvious is astounding.

The woman in question obviously made a huge mistake in holding her mother's funeral in a place where she would not be respected as a human being and treated with dignity. I won't make that same mistake when the time comes.

I am currently in school to be a Pastor I am in my 12th semester I dould not have done such a negative thing to hurt anyone. For the Priest not to bury her bother was horrendous!!!

To be clear- It is not considered a sin by Catholics to BE gay. It is considered a sin to engage in homosexual ACTS. According to the church Homosexuals are called to celebacy. Their sexual attractions are considered to be a cross for them to bear. It is recognized that it is a struggle for them but they are expected to struggle with it if they wish to be practicing Catholics. It is an Oxymoron to be an openly gay and practicing homosexual and a Catholic in good standing. If she were raised in the church, which I suspect, she should have known this and refrained from accepting communion.

I find it ironic that the same people who get upset when Korans are accidentally burned by non-muslims don't believe the same respect for holy articles be shown to the holy artifacts of "western religions". THe Eucharist is not just a wafer to Catholics. It is the body of Christ. Transubstatiated. Not a symbol, it becomes the real, actual flesh. It's a big deal. I'm not saying you have to believe in it, only that they do. It wouldbe like eating a hamburger in a hindu temple. It's rude.

The only thing that is sickening is that she thought she could just be above the rules of the church. I am not a Catholic so I do not attend Mass. I am not a Muslim so I do not go to a Mosque. If I ended up in a Mosque for some reason I would not attempt to take part in what every sacred ceremonies they may have because I am not Muslim and do not seek to offend people. She was living in opposition to the belief of this priest, and he stood up for his beliefs. You do not have a RIGHT to walk into someone, ANYONE's, place of worship and take part in their ceremonies just because you are there. I decided to leave the Catholic Church of my upbringing for many reason and disagreements, but I would never seek to visit their place of worship and disrepect their beliefs just because I do not agree with them; to do so would be wrong. PERIOD

The Priest was correct to deny Ms Johnson the bread and wine. Gay relasationships is against Gors laws. To give the Bread and wine would have offended God. We all should be mindful of God and HIS rules. Just because man says it is ok for gay relationships, God does not.

It is not God or Jesus I have a problem with.

It is just some of their fans

then why is there homosexuality & incest in your bible

"And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him."

In the original story pertaining to this woman and priest, it was noted that the priest said that they make the rules. for me this is an admittance that god, Church and Religion is all man made and there is no such thing as a god to begin with. Just another business that a bunch of charlatans are running and robbing the people for the monies to support their causes and their lifestyles.

The bigger church and religion gets, the bigger the homelessness and hungry population grows as well.

The real question here is, "Where the hell is all these billion per year going that these churches are raking in?"

Save your time, money and family and leave all these church and religions to crumble to the ground. you will prosper and do much better in life without church and religion in it.

If you want to help your neighbor. Hep them directly and cut out the middleman (church) that takes their 90% cut of your donations before helping anyone. These charlatans are only interested in helping themselves more than helping those that they claim they are helping.

TAX all church and religions or shut them all down.

Look, I grew up catholic, and my pastor had 3 masses in a row and drank wine as expected,with the body of Christ every time. He even had his assistant review our wedding vows because he was too drunk to answer the door.. He would go with the Mother Superior for weekends to his lodge. He even drank before the mass, and nobody but the Altar boys knew. Man is not perfect. There is not a person alive who goes to church that does not sin. If you receive Holy Communion, you go to confession beforehand because you have sinned.

If this article was written better MSNBS. What was the mothers thoughts and opinions of her daughter? Did anyone ask the mothers friends? Maybe the mother didn't even want her daughter at the funeral. Maybe the daughter ruined her mothers funeral for enjoyment. THE FACTS PLEASE!!

Demmie, where is it that the Catholic church has pastors?

Guess church elders thought better, this was a funeral on behalf of the family for the family not for the church

sobi

If you want, I can call him my parish priest, or my Father,or Father ****, or my Monsignor.They change parishes more often than they did when I went to Catholic school, or Parochial school. You didn't say what you would call him, (or her) in some new wave Catholic, folk music, women altar girls, putting Communion in your hand,parish. Times have changed. Get over it. I'm still old school. I like the Latin mass, myself. I just haven't gone much since things changed. Telling my sins to men who may be pedophiles make's me uneasy.

Okay, okay, I'm over it. :) I had honestly never heard that. And I'm no spring chicken.

I only said pastor because I thought it would be an easier title for non-Catholics to understand that he was the priest in charge of the parish. Parish priest does not necessarily mean head of the parish. There could be more than one. Thanks for listening though. i guess I should be more precise next time.

Meh, I was being snippy. :)

The reason the priest has to make up the story that this woman introduced her partner as her "lover" in the sacristy immediately before the funeral is that being gay isn't against Catholic doctrine. Acting on it is.

If this woman and her partner are not having sex--and quite a few lesbians do not have sex with one another, though they live together--then this woman is not at odds with the Catholic church. "Celibacy" does not mean that a person has to live alone; it means that the person is not having sex.

If this woman has spoken to her own priest, and she did confession and all that and was in a state of grace as far as her priest was concerned, then this priest had no business denying her communion. Heck, they will bury suicides with a mass now on the same principle--that the priest doesn't know what was in the person's heart and cannot make judgments.

This is a far more complicated doctrinal matter than anyone wants to admit. This woman can be lesbian, can live with a partner, and can still be in a state of grace. It isn't for this priest--who is NOT her priest--to make decisions about the state of her soul.

What is really appalling is that the priest wouldn't accompany the family to the actual burial--that is completely reprehensible. No matter what one thinks of the priest denying the woman communion--refusing to go to the burial for a member of his own parish because he doesn't like one of that person's family members is obscenely and unbelievably wrong. Just wrong. Appallingly wrong.

beanathome #2.25 - Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:31 AM EST

Can I respond to that in a Logical and Scientific way? Setting aside emotionalism and baseless hatreds?

Really gotta put a stop to the pedapriest exchange program.

Simple fact she is nothing but a militant earthen mound to hold back water who is using this to attack the church. Just looking for her 15 min of fame, she did this knowing before hand that she would not receive communion when she got up there but went anyway. I just don't get people like her who expect others to bend to her way of thinking, who go into churches or religious groups and demand that they change to fit something completely contrary to their beliefs, why do they do these things.

She does not have a right to communion and knew before hand that she was not going to be able to receive it, along with the priest stating what he did before they started to pass it out, but she got up anyway just to force the issue, so she would have a reason to complain and start some touble.

Don't start none there won't be none.

One other thing I just love all the atheist trying to say what the church or priest should or shouldn't do or have done in this case, it's none of your business. Personally he should have said at the top of his voice that just because her mother was a practicing catholic does not mean you get a free pass on communion because you are a practicing lesbian GET OUT OF LINE NO COMMUNION FOR YOU.

That about sums it up, doesn't it.

The psuedo priest needs to be tarred and feathered......

Glass houses preacher man

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27–28).

Catholic Priests deny communion to stop the person from profaning the body of the Lord and committing an eggregous act.

Like Ycaintuseait said, Jesus wouldn't have denied her. The passage you cited was not from Jesus, it was Paul.

Didn't realize you were a better authority on what Jesus would've done than Paul and the Bible.

You don't need Paul, the Bible, or even Jesus to tell you that denying comfort to a grieving person is wrong. All you need is some empathy.

Perhaps that's where this poor woman made her mistake, assuming a church would understand empathy or care about her state of grief. Silly her, like they would ever put her comfort before their antiquated dogma.

It also clearly says "Let a man examine himself" not let him be examined by a cleargy riddled with its own sin

Mike.D34 - You should re-read that verse. "Let a man examine himself." It is up to the congregant to determine their worthiness, not the priest. If the congregant knowingly takes communion when they are unworthy, then they will be judged for it by God.

Unless the priest is asking everyone if they are worthy, he is in the wrong.

Catholic Priests deny communion to stop the person from profaning the body of the Lord and committing an eggregous act.

You know that according to Catholic beliefs, it is up to the congregant to make the decision, right?

Mike.D34,

All religions (as opposed to spiritual aspirations) are crap, and all religious poppets (as opposed to spiritual seekers) are crap, as this priest amply demonstrates. But let's imagine for a moment that such is not the case, and take a look at your quote:

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

How can you miss the import of your own quote? "Let a man examine himself". Not a priest, not a pope, not a psychic second cousin twice removed, but the man himself.

That's the fundamental problem with religions and religious poppets: They stop paying attention to the spiritual insights and principles of their founders and just start @!$%#ing people over left and right.

Lune

Lune,

Besides, we all know it's the telepathic, third, cousins, once removed, who have all the power. I know because my book tells me so. How do I know the book is correct? Well because the book tells me it is.

Duh.

"I would have done the same to a drunk" "But my fellow Catholic priests who more often than not are Child Molesters, well I'm down with that."

Sarah-3043284,

I beg to differ. Psychic second cousins twice removed (telepathic or not) most assuredly have all the power, and I don't give a rat's ass what your book says. If you continue your heresy and remain in a state of sin, well then, I'll just keep my toys right here on the altar and you can go about your unblessed ways!

Third cousins once removed, the very idea! That assertion clearly emerges from the Shameful Hubristic Impious Tirade Against Sane Sanctimony heresy, which this priest most certainly is.

Lune

Yciantuseait5 - "...but Jesus would not"....You're right. Jesus would have told her go and sin no more. Oh but that's right, gay people have themselves convinced homosexuality is not a sin....

All have sinned and come short to the righteousness of God, ye who is without sin cast the first stone, Judge not less ye be Judged...etc...its pretty much an even playing ground kiddos and two basic rules to live By...Love god, Love thy neighbor.....the rest is crap for people to control other people...just like suicide means you will go to hell...yet what did Samson do?...just a thought.

If you are a Christian you realize that the saddest part of all of this is how it is driving people AWAY from Christ. People get so caught up in their interpretation that they miss the basic message of Christ: "Love each other". Your condemnations and judgements don't change hearts and minds..

Balance,

We've gone a few rounds before over this before, and you tried your darndest to convince me you weren't bigotted and were raising loving, accepting, little angel children. I just thought I'd warn you, your true colors are glaringly bright.

What you consider a sin is nothing but a personal belief. You're entitled to it, but I'm entitled to tell you this...

I love how presumptous some people are. You presume to have your God all figured out, you presume to think for him, you presume to judge for him...

And than you make this disclaimer of "I judge the sin, not the sinner." No, you judge the sinner. If it was merely the "sin" you were judging, you wouldn't feel the need to proclaim out loud, on a public news website, what a "sin" being gay is and how homosexuals have convinced themselves it isn't. You would simply not be gay. (Not like you have a choice in that but I'm sure you could make it quite a while through shear denial)

Quite honestly Sarah - I am also entitled to let you know that your opinion about me means nothing to me. A stranger on the internet doesn't like what I have to say? Whatever shall I do?

I think it is laughable that people want to change the meaning of scripture and think I should believe in their interpretation of said scripture.

Balance,

Quite honestly Sarah - I am also entitled to let you know that your opinion about me means nothing to me. A stranger on the internet doesn't like what I have to say? Whatever shall I do?

Oh shucks, and here I was banking on changing your mind.

I think it is laughable that people want to change the meaning of scripture and think I should believe in their interpretation of said scripture.

I don't just think it laughable, but know it to be so, that you believe anything you say is remotely close to being "Christ-like".

What's the term... Pharisee, maybe???? Who would Jesus post hateful crap about???

Thank God, we're all free from your perversion of a religion.

Whatever Sarah....have a nice day, or don't...I really don't care.

You too, sweetheart, good luck with all that hating. I'm sure it's exhausting.

Living blindly and not questioning those who proclaim to come in the name of God is laughable, more so since Jesus himself said we should do so, so did John, Paul.....George, Ringo? wait, that can't be right...anywho.... BUT questioning comes with a price, questioning God gets you answers. Questioning Man, gets you killed.

I wouldn't know Sarah - but I bet you would. And don't even bother responding. I'm sure there's other people out there you need to insult, make fun of, call names, whatever, just because they don't agree with you. Move along.

Balance, Jesus would have waved his magic wand, and made the gayness go away had he been there. And what do you tell the gay person who prays to god to make those feelings and urges go away so they can feel "normal". God did not make it happen. Why is that? What's the stock Christian answer... Oh, it's all part of his plan. If your god controls everything, then why are YOU fighting against his plan?

Open your eyes and think.

Sarah, I just wanted to tell you that I've enjoyed reading your positions on various topics for months now. Thank you!! :)

Chris - My eyes are wide open and I think just fine. I will live my life how I choose and I expect others to do the same. I don't ask for anyone's permission to do so and I would expect others to do the same.

Why should the church change it's standing just because man wants them to? God's word doesn't change just because man says so or wants it to. That is why I'll stand on the rock of God's word as opposed to the shifting sand of this earth. However, I believe that is a concept you wouldn't understand. After all, you'll not be standing there on the day I am judged by God, just like I won't be standing there on your judgment day. But Jesus will be there. What will he say to you?

Balance, first if you didn't actually care then you wouldn't have ever responded to anything sarah said. Second, asking her to not to even respond to your last post was a weak attempt to get the last word in, which you don't care about?..ok, starting to confusing myself...AND CHRIS STOP HITTING ON SARAH...its creepy...jk

Answer the question. Why are you fighting gods plan for gay people? Are you saying that god is not all powerful enough to stop it? Or are you saying that god is not all kind and loving as to help someone who is asking for help? Or are you saying that god is not all caring, and gays don't matter to him?

Which is it?

Balance-n-common-sense,

Your reading of your chosen scripture is limited and therefore quite mistaken. In the case of the woman taken in adultery, Jesus first sent packing all the sanctimonious men who would be her judges and executioners. Then, in the intimate stillness and peace that he had woven about her, he offered her spiritual comfort. If you think that this priest acted as Christ would have, then you have quite mistaken the messiah you claim to adore.

Lune

The funny things is you quote "God's word" as if he said it to you himself and you were able to swear to it. What you are actually quoting is what men wrote down centuries ago and claimed was God's word.

L Ron Hubbard's followers believe in his words, and they are written down. So, basically your response will be that your imaginary God is better than theirs or anyone else's.

Balance,

Nope, it's a quiet day at work, so really, you're the only person I feel the need to call out right now. Sucks to be you I guess.

Chris,

Why thank you!

RW,

Trust me, there have been much creepier. ;)

LOL...i have no doubt of that sarah.

Haha RW! I am way smoother than that. If I was hitting on her, I would have said something about her smile. I'll save that for the real world though. ;)

How could I have missed this inspiring diatribe today?

Is it really so hard to understand that this Priest decided to only pick the parts of the Bible he liked when giving communion?

This is what happens when you take a 2000 year old book and decide everything inside it was literal, or only the parts you like are literal. But you know, this here Bible/Koran/Torah is SO MUCH better than the scripts of Greek Mythology or the gods of Egypt! Better by virtue of being the funny books of conquering nations?

Dood! I am SO worshipping BATMAN, right now. He's my persunal fav! He kicks sinners in the junk and flies away in the night!

Batman really is my favorite. I do wonder what would happen if people started taking comic books as seriously as they took the Bible.

So you've got no answer, Balance? When you say you are standing on the rock that is gods word, do you mean the version that you decided to believe, or the word as it is clearly written? It's amazing that when you are challenged with that word, you disappear.

..just like suicide means you will go to hell...yet what did Samson do?...just a thought.

You're forgetting an important fact here, RwEvans.

Just like Jesus, Samson was a Jew. Old Testament.

What does the Jewish faith teach about suicide?

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27–28).

Catholic Priests deny communion to stop the person from profaning the body of the Lord and committing an eggregous act.

That egregious act being ritualized cannibalism - eating the very flesh and blood of the Savior.

Sarah,

Please describe some of these positions that Chris is infatuated with.

How is that for creepy?

in order to be in good favor with jesus you need to repent your sins or jesus will cast you aside for the sinner you are. a homosexual who repents but goes on to perform the very sin they just repented is banished from heaven as you made no attempt to stop the sin. if you do not believe in jesus or the christian god then what reason do you have to express an opinion about something you dont believe in? does this lady know she is sinning according to her catholic holy bible? this lady chooses to live a life of sin as a catholic and will face the punishment she puts on herself, no one needs judge her as she has judged herself.

i find it perplexing why sooooo many people have such aggressive opinions about something they do not practice nor profess belief in. you cannot absolve yourself of sins when you have not done so in your mind/heart, just saying a few words does not remove the sins and if this is what people think gods wants then they are doomed to and eternity from god.

I believe people are becoming more compassionate and comforting to one another as individuals without always needing the lead of organizations where constant flaws are found, scandals hidden, crimes occur and people continue to send in their money. I'm sure of course there are many wonderful comforting relgious organizations (of all faiths). The God of my understanding would be embracing of anyone seeking their own version of the truth from an open hearted and loving status however they chose to go about doing it. There is a problem I think when judgements, condemantions, and refusals in times where comfort is in need or people genuinely seeking the truth. Its the height of cruelty, inhumanity and ignorance. Do the humans who comprise the church's always have the answer? Humans are flawed. I wish her well.

@ Sarah:

The woman wasn't denied "comfort"...she was denied communion. For a person who is not a practicing Catholic (or even Christian, for that matter, as she had taken up an Eastern religion), she has no place asking to receive communion.

... if you do not believe in jesus or the christian god then what reason do you have to express an opinion about something you dont believe in?

i find it perplexing why sooooo many people have such aggressive opinions about something they do not practice nor profess belief in.

Let me turn the tables and ask if you have no opinion about the Muslim faith or the Mormon faith?

Everyone has an opinion about religion and everyone is entitled to freedom of speech. It's the American way.

having an opinion is one thing but when you try to tell others how they are wrong and you are right based on an emotion, that is far from just expressing an opinion, you are trying to control others, thats why i said 'aggressive opinions'. it seems more people come out to bash anything with christians more than important things like the current state of our union or poverty and injustice, there are always tons more postings on religious stories over anything else but the same problems are on all fronts.

free and open discussion is a must but narcissistic thoughts expressed in crude language is not helpful.

Looking at this Priestley Guernizo, He looks like a FLAMING HOMOSEXUAL! NOT that there is ANYTHING wrong with that!! He Hates Lesbians, but he always gives cumunion to young boys...

Rod Father,

You're still only registering at a four out of a possible ten. Sorry. ;)

There will likely be a number of self-righteous holier-than-thou type responses to my comment,

Only from those who think religion is the same thing as faith.

Not that the Catholic religion is the "True Religion" (it's not and in fact it's reprehensible to suggest it is), but if you are inclined to read the Bible, prophecy says clearly that these things would happen in the end times, including the demise of any belief in one true God.

great pr move----just what the catholic church needs while trying to recover from the pedophile priests. every pronouncement of just how out of touch they are with modern society leads them closer to extinction. i put my last donation in the ''dominic go frisk em'' (DOMINUS VO BISCUM) box 40 years ago. i have witnessed during my years in catholic schools extreme cruelty by the nuns and priests. i frequently bow to the power that created the beauty of this world but ascribe to no organized religion.

My thoughts exactly, Henry. Well said!

They certainly sound awfully similar. Santorum is probably just some sexually frustrated hack who hates everyone just because he hates himself.

I'm sure a guy with five kids qualifies as sexualy frustrated. Please!

America! ugh

That's a very nice summation of the catholic church's position. Who wouldn't want to be part of such a fine organization?

Actually, the church's position in this case is that the priest was wrong, but don't let facts get in the way of your rant.

latisha----i laughed out loud at your comment--''makes sense if you don't think about it''---seems that applies to all organized religions.

Well, Chris, it's cold comfort to tens of thousands of children who were molested and raped by priests that it was wrong.

Duh.

Bottom line here, going to church makes you a "christian" as much as going to a garage makes you a car. And god knows the judgmental @!$%#s here prove that completely.

Psssst Brad, don't utter the word 'craft,' you know how the 'Church' feels about witches... >.<

Look up state of grace and mortal sin in Catholic theology and you will have your answers. Catholic priests have denied Communion to known mobsters, divorced and remarried parishers etc... etc... this is nothing new.

The lesbian woman knew full well what she was doing by trying to force the priest to let her receive.

She doesn't confess to her sins, Steve. She thinks she's fine and so she wants "I'm fine" wine along with all the others.

Marty, who are you to know what she confesses to? You're just as bad as the Priest.

Steve, the story says she volunteered that she was a lesbian and the priest reacted to that. She obviously didn't think she was a sinner from what the story indicates. This isn't about me casting stones. I am looking at it without judgement.

According to the Catholic Church, love the sinner (i.e. the gay person) but hate the sin( having sex outside of marriage)....her being a lesbian should not matter, unless she was actually having sex as she recieved communion..everyone is a sinner, how many people standing in line for communion had broken a commandment even that day?

Can the Catholic Church explain exactly why it allowed Frank Sinatra to be granted multiple annulments of his marriages? What a laugh. Homosexuality is not a choice. So..oh dear...it must be one of God's jokes on heterosexuals to see how tolerant they are of His Divine amusements.

The Catholic Church and that NY Cardinal are playing that fine old traditional Catholic game...If they don't want contraceptives in their hospitals or to perform abortions for any reason, all they have to do is give up all those federal tax dollars they receive. Funny how Cardinal Dolan never thought that the federal dollars his church receives for their schools and hospitals is totally non-sectarian. Guess he only minds when he has to play by non-sectarian rules or lose that funding.

Most churches in the US, especially Evangelical, have very little to do with Jesus. They just use him as a way to get tithes to pay for the church leaders homes and lifestyles. Some Evangelical Churches the pastors live better than the wealthiest parishoner.

Or the Priest maybe should have showed a little discretion at her mother's funeral. If this was just another Sunday, I wouldn't really care (it's all pretend anyway) but this man has forever tainted the memory of the last time this woman will see her mother. And that's wrong.

I agree falconear. A little discretion goes a long way. I read somewhere (probably in that fuster cluck of comments above) that the priest should have pulled her aside, or waited until after the funeral to tell her why he was unable to give her the Communion. There is always a time and place for everything, a funeral is not the place to flaunt your authority.

I agree with you on this one Capt, she already knew it was going to happen. I don't understand it but she does.

To those who keep defending the Priest. You cannot also defend the Catholic Church for this act as well.

They SUSPENDED him for it

Meaning quite clearly that he was wrong

I see he came from Moscow, nice , one of the more Homophobic cities on earth where they arrest yu for attending a gay event...he needs to be Defrocked and sent to Siberia

I also said he clearly sounds more orthodox than others. Since he's from Moscow, this makes perfect sense.

I'm not saying what he did was right. I'm also not saying what she did was right. Both are in the wrong, if only because he made a fiasco out of the mothers funeral.

No matter what the archdiocese says though, it won't make it right. The funeral will forever be tainted in the eyes of those who attended. That's the saddest part about this.

#14.5 - Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:36 AM EST

Tainted by Whom? who initiated the action and for whos benefit? was that action warranted and who " treadled on whose turf " so, do " Clubs " have right to make rules, and IF you do not like the rules does that mean you " tear down the club "?

Mike, it is the congregant's choice whether to accept Communion or not. Priests are not bouncers; only you know what is in your heart and if you should receive or not. Preventing sin is not a Church policy - they're supposed to heal the sinners, not turn them away.

It's supposed to be God's church and God's teachings, not "theirs."

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:27–28).

It isn't the congregants choice, the Priest is the only one in the CC that can handle and distribute the host. If a Priest knows of a man who is divorced and remarried he will also deny communion. it is done as a mercy so the congregant doesn't defile the body of Christ. The teaching is real simple, real clear. if you don't like the teaching move on to another church there are thousands of protestant churches that will fit any lifestyle.

"Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup"

Reading comprehension.

Religion, profaining humanity since the dawn of man.

Mike, you'd make more of an impression quoting Jesus, not Paul.

Well put Mike.D. I think she over reacted a bit. I also don't take communion when I attend an occassional service. If she can't grieve for her mother's loss over this, then she has others issues. I too think the priest, knowing that she was the daughter, could have made an exception. It went against his grain. So be it.

For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself" (1 Cor. 11:29)

Priests can deny communion to anyone they are aware of is in a state of Mortal sin. If a man says he murdered someone but doesn't repent he will be denied. If a man is divorced and remarries he will be denied. If a woman is in a homosexual relationship and makes it clear she must be denied communion. This is done as a mercy so the person doesn't drink judgment on themselves. Real Catholics believe that host and wine is the literal body and blood of christ and it isn't taken lightly. This is of course directly in line with the Bible but most Protestant Churches treat it like a piece of wonder bread and grape juice.

Reading comprehension.

MikeD34.doSetReadingComprehension(null);

Mike.D34,

If your assertions are correct, then why did the Washington archdiocese state that the priest did not act according to church belief and practices? Obviously, your assertions aren't correct.

At any rate, your original post points out the true creepiness of this whole issue. How in the world (or in heaven) can people truly venerate the practice of ritual cannibalism or (in the case of Catholics) real cannibalism as the pinnacle of spiritual life? To chomp away on the bicep of your god then wash it down by a sip of his blood: Creepy, just really creepy.

Lune

Mike, you might not know that the host can be ahndeled and distributed by many others, not just priests. In high school I was a Eucharistic Minister and handed out Communion. If I remember correctly, you don't even need to be a priest to consecrate the Eucharist. I think the only thing that only a priest can do is absolution. It's a bit off the point, but I thought it needed to be said. Also? It's a pet peeve of mine, but Catholics do not "have services", they celebrate Mass. I'll go hush now.

@Mike what mortal sin had she committed? Being gay is not a sin, having sex outside marriage IS, however all sins are forgiven if you go to confession...unless he knew for a fact that she was having sex and had not gone to confession, I don't see how he can make such a judgement.

Mike.D34 - The teaching is really clear, unless in a state of grace receiving the host in a Catholic Church is a mortal sin.

Actually the archdiocese policy about communion is pretty clear (that the congregant decides), and the priest directly violated that policy.

Even worse, he walked out on the eulogy and failed to perform graveside services. He disrespected the entire family, as well as the deceased.

After the latest statement from him, I doubt he'll get his parish restored to him.

tac210

@Mike what mortal sin had she committed? Being gay is not a sin, having sex outside marriage IS, however all sins are forgiven if you go to confession...unless he knew for a fact that she was having sex and had not gone to confession, I don't see how he can make such a judgement

#16.12 - Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:07 AM EST

Care to show me what Bible says " ALL sins are forgiven?" mine says the following,

Hebrews 10:26 For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, 27 but [there is] a certain fearful expectation of judgment and [there is] a fiery jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition. 28 Any man that has disregarded the law of Moses dies without compassion, upon the testimony of two or three. 29 Of how much more severe a punishment, do YOU think, will the man be counted worthy who has trampled upon the Son of God and who has esteemed as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt?

Agree with it or not it's their teaching and it is Biblical:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:53–58).

The point is not whether or not you or anyone else likes our Religious doctrine. What matters is that someone who does not agree with our doctrine AND is a Buddist (not a practicing Catholic) should receive Our Lord in the Eucharist. I am grateful that this wonderful, faithful priest stood up for TRUTH. If more priests would do that, we would not have the problems in the Church we have today - thank you, Father, for being a true shepherd of your people.

Religion is not going to bend over for public opinion.

If that were true, they'd still be saying mass in Latin.

But, they will bent an alter boy over a pew..

@flbikerchick

When the Traditional Latin form of the Mass took shape in the 5-7th centuries, Latin was a well know language but people don't speak Latin anymore. That in itself is not a reason to go to the vernacular, but it certainly was weighed in the decision.

I think it is biblical for the Mass to be in the vernacular (in the language of the local people). When the Holy Spirit landed on the apostles in the upper room on the first day of pentecost, which is the birth of the Church, they went and preached in many different languages, the languages of the people (Acts 2:4).

In the old days, before Vatican II, many people would sit through the entire Mass doing the Rosary and not paying attention to what was going on at the altar, because they didn't understand Latin. I love the Rosary, but not during Mass.

The new Mass has more participation from lay people who now do the 1st and 2nd readings.

http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/mass_new_vs_old.htm

I think this explains the change from Latin quite well...and you can still find many churches that hold Traditional Masses in Latin.

Not only are you hateful, you're ignorant.

This took me 18 seconds to find on Google.
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion

A mortal sin is any sin whose matter is grave and which has been committed willfully and with knowledge of its seriousness. Grave matter includes, but is not limited to, murder, receiving or participating in an abortion, homosexual acts, having sexual intercourse outside of marriage or in an invalid marriage, and deliberately engaging in impure thoughts (Matt. 5:28–29).

So no, it's NOT OK. Just like it's not okay for all those sports coaches to rape the kids either.

It wasn't a mass, it was a funeral.

How many Catholic saints are women? They can't be priests, this was a teaching of Jesus, blame him. His twelve apostles were men that Jesus anointed as priests 2000 years ago, that anointing and laying on of hands has continued unbroken since then.

It was a Mass for her mother's funeral but a Mass nonetheless. They don't just offer communion randomly. It goes with a Mass. That's also why Catholic weddings go on forever, because they include an entire Mass as well.

a funeral done by the Catholic church. it's still going to uphold Catholic doctrine.

They can't be priests, this was a teaching of Jesus

Once again, Paul, not Jesus. Maybe you should worship Paul. You seem to favor him over Jesus.

Mike, I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools. Not once in the 1000+ masses I attended did I see someone denied the Eucharist.

Mike, there are texts that were not included in the King James Version or Catholic versions of the Bible that showed that there WERE female priests at the time. It's just that the misogynistic King James and the Pope at the time wanted all references to women having any power in the church expunged from the Bible. Can't have those uppity women thinking they have any power or control over themselves.

Steve did any people in there openly tell the priest about their lesbian lover then expect to take communion 20 minutes later? Mortal sin isn't exactly easy to do, and a simple absolution and confession rids you of it.

I have seen Catholics denied communion several times but I went to a more Orthodox Parish and attended on more than just Easter and Ash Wednesday.

Wow Mike, thanks for passing false judgement on me. I appreciate it.

Don't worry about it, Steve, catholics do that all the time.

The situation of how the priest knew about the PARTNER of Ms. Johnson is that during the pre-funeral and pre-Mass counseling session the priest asked who the woman with Ms. Johnson was. Ms' Johnson's PARTNER revealed the relationship between the two women, not Ms. Johnson. Which begs the question: I know some really sarcastic people who would have said they were the partner even if there was no romantic relationship between them and one of the family members. How was the priest to know if the person was actually a long family friend - close enough to be considered family - and was sarcastic in what they said? Leave aside the fact that the partner was being truthful and they actually are in a relationship. Ms. Johnson did not reveal that she was a lesbian, so why does the priest have a right to deny her the sacrament when she was not the person who replied to him? She did not come into the planning session for her mother's funeral and just announce that she was gay, it was not a blatant attempt to affront the Catholic Church. Whatever happened to the idea that nobody can confess sins for anther person? Whatever happened to the idea that priests are a CONDUIT to Christ and not Christ himself and are NOT allowed/authorized to pass judgement on someone?

As far as people who quote letters from Paul (who never followed Jesus while he was alive and CHANGED the religion, not to mention the dubious provenance of the letters themselves) to justify anything in Christianity .... as someone who has done and continues to do a LOT of comparative religious study; I condemn you as Paulians and not Christians. Paul corrupted the teachings, his aides (who probably wrote most of the letters) corrupted the teachings and then Constantine finished the job with the Council of Nicea because Constantine wanted a REGIMENTED religion instead of one that discussed the supposed Gospels of more than just Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In Rome, women were not allowed into public life as leaders; so in the church according to Constantine, women were not allowed as leaders. Paul was a misogynist so of COURSE he would downplay the role of women in the early church. Do some study of your own religion before you start spouting off with words purportedly of PAUL instead of JESUS.

Thank you for an informed intelligent post, most people never even research about religion, they just blindly follow what MAN tell them.

Steve In CO: Hey Steve, I never passed any judgement on you much less false judgment. Not sure what you are talking about unless you are such a strong Catholic that you took criticism of the church as a criticism on you. I never mentioned you directly or indirectly.

I am a strong christian and though I don't believe in the practice of homosexuality, I am called to love everyone. Love is a verb and not based on emotion. I don't have to like what someone is doing or like them to show Christ's love. I need to love them like Jesus regardless of who they are or what they do. Jesus was very clear: all sin and fall short of the glory of God, not one is righteous, do not judge lest you be judged, remove the plank from your own eye before pointing out the sliver in your neighbor's eye, and he who is without sin cast the first stone. There is not enough time to list every example Jesus sets on our requirements to love. I do not agree with the actions of this priest because he has no idea what is in the heart of this woman in relation to her excepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior and his death/resurrection for her sins which is the only requirement in the Bible for salvation and exceptance of communion. Jesus began this outward expression with "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins"-Matthew 26:27-28. No where does it say except this all who are sinless, because that is impossible and he would have drank alone. This type of human decision on who is saved and who is not saved is neither Biblical, nor supported by any statement or action of Jesus Christ anywhere in his ministry. Jesus did not support the higher than though pharisees with all of their rediculous laws intended to control the people and there is no evidence to conclude he would support it today by priests or any denomination of Church. All you need to know is Jesus loves you, died for you, and conquered death for you by ressurecting. If you acccept that you are saved, no communion by a priest can change that and no priest has the authority to override that.

I agree. I think it's time for the man to head back home to Moscow where he belongs. I have never been asked, when receiving holy communion, if I am in a state of grace. That is between me and God.

AMEN! that priest is a hate monger without any compassion!

Again how many in that line of comunion where either cheaters, wife beaters, pedophiles, "social drunks", thieves... etc. to humiliate that poor woman in her mom's funeral. FIRE THE PRIEST!

I could not agree more

my question is why did he agree to do the funeral knowing full well that he would be doing communion for all who wished from the family and friends

I think that in this case he should be removed as soon as possible if not sooner

There is no such thing as "doing communinion for all who wished from the family and friends" a Catholic Funeral or Wedding is considered a Mass. Her mother was Catholic, thus had a Catholic funeral. Only confirmed Catholics are supposed to participate in Communion at a Catholic Mass. If you go to a Catholic wedding where one of the parties is not Catholic, traditionally only the family who is Catholic will take part in the Communion, even if the other family is Christian. It is called respecting the traditions of others even if you do not follow them yourself. I was raised Catholic but left their church for my own reasons, however I would never seek to go to a Mass and disrespect those that worship there with for my own selfish reasons as this woman did. She was clearly not a practicing Catholic, and knew more than enough about the ceremonies involved to know she was asking for trouble.

There are WAY too many ignorant (or blatantly anti-Catholic) people commenting on this event.

What this priest did was very acceptable (and moral per centuries of Catholic doctrine). NO ONE in the state of mortal sin can receive Communion without commiting a sacrilege and another mortal sin.

While a priest must trust his bona fide Catholic parishoners follow this omni-rule for Communion, the priest can deny Communion to anyone he knows (or hs valid doubt) isn't in the state of grace at the Communion railing.

That is why the comment about the drunk is made. If a husband was know to beat his wife and he hadn't confessed his mortal sin to the priest before hand (a true Catholic would actually face the priest before Mass and explain he did confess his sins and did the penance to restore his soul to sanctify grace). THe same is true of a date rape, or public display of impurity, or an abortion, etc.

This lesbian daughter is 100% at fault for her own embarrassment. As she was brought up a Catholic, she knew damn well the rules. Since she's fallen away, and clearly revels in her sinful lifestyle, she knows she (in the eyes of God) cannot receive communion in her state of sin. To say this was "all about honoring her mom" is worldly pride and logic trumping God's law inherent in the Catholic doctrine (of many centuries). Communion (and the Mass) is all about worshipping God, and in the case of a requiem mass, asking for mercy for the soul of the mother in the afterlilfe.

The man who says the priest is "politicizing this event" is full of ****. This valid Catholic doctrine is not political. The fact it was a lesbian who was (as expected) shot down for Communion is what caused MSNBC or other pro-homosexual agenda-lovers to bring it to the public eye to condemn Christian morals and church doctrine. The homosexual agenda has made it political. They all knew their open lifestyles of known amorality in the eyes of the Church would get called out.

This is nothing new, however. Gays desecrate and mock Catholic Masses all the time -- particularly in San Francisco. You can't expect anything less from them.

As for the posters who seem to know God better than a 2,000-year old Christian Church -- Jesus was not there, but is perpetually present in the sacristy of the Church. he gave authority to Peter and subsequent Popes to rule on earth His Church. Ironically, today's Lenten gospel reads from John 8: Jesus said, "If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear is that you are not of God."

Jesus would have spoken to the lesbian (if He was still on earth), and forgiven her her sins, but He most definitely would have told the lesbian "to sin no more."

(sarcasm:) I love how modernists tend to belittle Christ as just a mere man who is your best friend that you can screw over and expect it all to be just fine. There is no respect for Jesus anymore as not only God Incarnate, but as the Second Person of the One, True, Blessed Trinity.

Exactly, the woman was no more right for what she did than the idiot last week that walked into a Denny's, claimed he was sent from corporate to be a new manager, and walked into the kitchen to cook himself dinner. You have NO RIGHT to walk into someone else's place of worship, whether they be Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim or otherwise, and feel like you can take place in the traditions that are reserved for their members just because you are there. She knew exactly what she was doing, and the media is giving her exactly what she wanted.

Exactly. This is not really news but part of MSNBC's political agenda. The priest was correct in refusing communion to someone who is living in contradiction to the faith and is unrepentant and has no plan to change the behavior. He used the example of someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs in his statement, he could have just as easily used an example of someone in an adulterous relationship or whatever. If the Christian faith is not for you, that's fine, but why do those of us who want to follow it have to constantly be ridiculed and berated for our beliefs. It is a choice to believe or not. Even those who profess to believe in nothing are making that determination by faith.

RSB - Believe what you want, but to say that Atheists reach their conclusions by faith is frankly offensive. Belief, yes, but not faith. Examination of the facts show us that there is no logical evidence for the existence of any God proposed to us so far. That's not based on faith, it's based on logic.

falconear - it was not mean to be offensive, simply to point out a belief in that which can not be proven is faith. Just as you claim there is no proof that God exists, you can provide no proof that He doesn't.

faith - verb : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/faith

How do you know she is unrepentant? The other article said her own priest did not refuse her communion, which suggests her own priest accepted her penance. If a Catholic is absolved in confession, can another priest void it and put the sin back in place?

RSB-1731041

So apparently it is impossible to be both gay and Christian, who is the Priest or you to say that she doesn't believe. I'm born and raised Catholic, as well as BORN GAY. There are many gay people that still believe in God, even if certain groups try to make us feel that God doesn't believe in us. Personally I think that God knows what is right, and the people speaking for him to should have their heads examined.

C.Smith, I understand your frustration, but those priests are pedophiles. This priest might have been the victim of a pedophile. I don't know all the rules of being a Catholic, but he must have been wrong to have been suspended. I'll be aksing my mother about this situation because she's Catholic. I'm Baptist. We hardly ever discuss our faiths. In the south, the moderate baptist churches have the don't ask don't tell policy. As long as you tithe, you're good.

this is a portly Lesbo. Looks like a cross between Roy Orbison and Fred Flinstone

Dave,

You didn't read the other article. She isn't Catholic. That is the reason she didn't get communion first, the gay thing was secondary. Her Mother was a Catholic.

cheesy,

“I’ve had a very rich and complex relationship with the Catholic church. As an adult, being a lesbian presents conflicts with one’s spirituality. I’ve been fortunate particularly in the last several years – I’ve received Communion every time I’ve gone to church,” she said.

JBIRD - of course it is not impossible to be gay and a Christian. I did not say that. Everyone of us is a sinner including myself and I certainly would call myself a Christian, a follower of Christ. Christ died so that all may be forgiven, but its not automatic forgiveness, you need to ask. We live in a day and age where we are afraid to speak the truth in love and call a sin a sin. I'll use another behavior as an example: for the most part, adultery is still considered a sin and designated by society as an unacceptable behavior. So what happens if society decides it is no longer unacceptable. Is it no longer a sin?

It isn't impossible to be gay and a Christian. It is impossible to remain a Christian (and in the state of grace in the eyes of God) if you are a gay who participates in homosexual activities.

There is no such thing as a homosexual; only someone who commits homosexual acts.