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Subscribe to RSSA Catholic priest who was suspended from ministry after denying Communion to a lesbian at her mother's funeral said he would have done the same if someone "had shown up in my sacristy drunk, or high on drugs" and criticized the Washington archdiocese for the way it handled the case.
The Rev. Marcel Guarnizo withheld Communion from Barbara Johnson during a Feb. 25 funeral Mass for her mother at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md.
"I am confident that my own view, that I did the only thing a faithful Catholic priest could do in such an awkward situation, quietly, with no intention to hurt or embarrass, will be upheld," Guarnizo said in a statement released on March 14.
"Ms. Johnson’s circumstances are precisely one of those relations which impede her access to communion according to Catholic teaching," his statement continued. "Ms. Johnson was a guest in our parish, not the arbiter of how sacraments are dispensed in the Catholic Church."
Guarnizo said he would have also denied Communion to a "Quaker, a Lutheran or a Buddhist." Adding that he had also recently lost his mother, he said he didn't "intentionally want or seek to embarrass anyone publicly or increase anyone’s emotional distress during such a difficult time."
Priest who denied Communion to lesbian suspended
Reacting to Guarnizo's comments, Johnson's brother Larry wrote that the statement was "arrogant, repugnant, deceitful."
"My family had finally hoped some sense of peace regarding my mother’s funeral had been achieved and we could finally grieve her loss," Larry Johnson's statement read. "But the reprehensible Fr. Guarnizo has reinforced and confirmed how egregious his conduct was and how repugnant a person he is."
A woman is calling for a Catholic priest's removal from the ministry after he denied her communion at her mother's funeral and then left before finishing the service. The woman, Barbara Johnson, tells her story to msnbc's Tamron Hall.
The archdiocese had previously apologized for Guarnizo’s behavior and "lack of pastoral sensitivity." According to CNSNews.com, Guarnizo is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Moscow, not of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where he has been practicing his vocation in recent years. On March 9, the Archdiocese of Washington withdrew his “faculties” to administer the sacraments within its jurisdiction.
Guarnizo’s behavior was against the Archdiocese of Washington’s policy, according to a statement issued by officials.
Woman: Priest denied me Communion at mom's funeral because I'm gay
The incident occurred when it came time to hand out bread and wine, Barbara Johnson told msnbc.com. Guarnizo “issued a strong admonition that only Catholics in a state of grace can receive Communion,” she said. “I went up. I was standing next to my mother’s casket and he covered the bowl, and said, ‘I cannot give you Communion because you are with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin.’ I stood there with my mouth open in a state of shock for -- I don’t know how long.”
In his statement, Guarnizo said Johnson came into the sacristy with another woman whom she announced as her “lover," but Johnson's brother calls this "an outrageous lie."
"Her revelation was completely unsolicited," the priest said.
In his statement, Guarnizo accused the archdiocese of treating him unfairly, and said "the lack of clarity on this most basic issue puts at risk other priests who wish to serve the Catholic Church in Washington, D.C."
"I am once again deeply saddened by the actions of Father Marcel Guarnizo," Barbara Johnson said in a statement. "At a time when my family should have been allowed to begin our mourning in peace, he has chosen instead to politicize my mother’s death once again, reopening the wounds he inflicted upon our family on February 25th."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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Awww... hurts to be treated unfairly eh...?
St. Paul warns of eating and drinking unworthily the body and blood of Jesus. In certain circumstances, it is allowable to deny someone communion if they are known to be in mortal sin. If this woman said those things to the priest that she had a gay lover and was living in sin with her, then he had a right to deny her communion. He would have to do the same if he knew a man and a woman were co-habitating and they tried to receive holy communion. The Eucharist is not a right, but a wonderful gift...but the Church recognizes you must be in a state of grace in order to receive holy communion. It is a grave offense to receive the body and blood of Jesus and be in mortal sin.
Comparing a lesbian to a "drunk" or someone high on drugs is bizarre. Not only that, but the implication is that by just being a lesbian, she is equivalent to someone actively inebriated in church. If the priest thought someone were actively inebriated or high on drugs, then he would have denied them communion, too. So...you can do all the drugs you want at home, but come in to church sober, and you get communion? Come into the church high, and you don't? Apparently a drug user or alcoholic can move in and out of grace depending upon their location and current actions, but lesbian is eternally disgraced no matter what she is or isn't doing in church. There is so much wrong with this priest's thinking. He didn't say he'd deny an adulterer communion and deny that adulterer communion no matter what he or she was doing in church. If he did, he lose some large portion of his congregants. Makes my head spin.
According to the latest Church doctrine, being gay in of itself is not sinful, just don't act on those homosexual urges. How did this dictatorial priest know she was having sex with her partner? Was he peaking in their windows? Unless she told him in the confessional that she was in a sexual relationship, then he subtly violated the seal of the confessional by refusal of communion. He really must have had a problem at Christmas Midnight Mass refusing the sacrament to all those "drunkards." (Having been to numerous midnight masses I can attest to the number of congregants who had imbibed and went to receive the host.)
How dare you question the right of the Catholic church to pass judgement. Don't you know that the Pope speaks with authority of God himself? Haven't you ever heard of papal infallibility? There is no way he could possibly be wrong.
It doe's appear that most of the comments posted are in favor of this woman. We should not let the passing of her mother confuse the real issue. This sympathy, while warranted, can cause the real issue to be over-shadowed with right emotions. I hear people say that Jesus didn't write this, Paul did. Than those that feel and believe that way, your Bibles' are very small in content. What is the point in believing and living God's word if you will only hear what appeals to you for certain situations? One needs to look at the life of Saul as a once murderous and powerful man. What Jesus did to Saul on the roed to Damascus and afterwards tells a story of grace, mercy amd forgiveness. And if one would take the time to read how his life was TOTALLY changed as a result of being forgiven by Jesus, you can then begin to see the depths of God's love for us. But here is where many, I believe, are missing this hard truth: After being forgiven, now called Paul, he DEVOTED his entire LIFE in serving the Lord. And while he forgave the prostitute, He explicitly told her, GO, AND SIN NO MORE. Here is where the dangerous problem lies with our relationship with God. We want this to be like burger king and have it our way. It simply cannot work. God commands us to turn from our sin. One is taking a most dangerous decision in avoiding what Paul wrote concerning those that will not make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. Galatians 5:19 states what will cause a person to not inherit the Kingdom. The mighty question is, if you do not take the whole Bible for what it means, don't you think you are risking your very soul based on what you think and not divinely know?
Tell this bitch to go to hell.
What and take your seat on the elevator down?
Sounds like it's time to defrock this very ignorant bigot who has been passing himself off as a man of religious faith all of these years.Hopefully the family will be able to overcome the pain that this moron has inflicted upon their family.It's priests like this guy that help facilitate so many Catholics leaving the church. Along with the Catholic Bishops Conference and their attacks on women's reproductive rights many more will be leaving never to return.
Its not a social club. Join the Democrat Party if you want an atmosphere of no values, no standards and everything goes.
Faith in God is not only about believe in his existence but constantly struggling to overcome the desires of the flesh and distractions of this world.
She was not discriminated against because she was gay. She was denied communion because she was no in a state of Grace,
You are the close minded bigot because you assault everyone that does not believe as you. You have no respect for others. You might not wear a pointy hat like the Klan but you certainly have a pointed head.
navyvet98 - Don't even try to paint this along party lines. As a Republican I want no association whatsoever with your hatred and bigotry. This is strictly a religious issue. You have no ownership of the Republican party.
Let's assume Ms. Johnson was raised catholic by her catholic mother. Ms. Johnson could not possibly be uninformed concerning her unacceptable behavior and status with regard to the catholic church.
I am not catholic. As an outsider on this matter, I find it most interesting that Ms. Johnson chose to challenge the church in her time of need. I also find it interesting that the priest (who probably was aware of Ms. Johnson beforehand) did not approach her with concern and inform her of his intentions.
As simple as this would appear in hindsight, I find fault with both who failed to do their duty. In the end, both are smeared in the media and further exascerbate the disagreements and widen the divide that exists between those who have falled out of grace with the church and those who see themselves as enforcers of the faith.
It takes a lot of balls to do what either one of these people were committed to do in public. In the end, I would find greater fault for lack of responsibility on Ms. Johnson. I'm not convinced the church had a responsibility to give her communion.
I look at it almost like joining a web site. "if you sign on, you'll be governed by these rules.....and furthermore, we can change the rules at anytime".
She joined (or stayed with) a club, when she didn't know (or ignored) the rules.
If I opened a bank account, and then went to the bank at 11 o'clock at nite...would it be newsworthy that I wasn't able to get my money out? I didn't know the bank would be closed; I didn't know the rules.
If you ascribe to a religion then you basically give up your rights. Look at the religious whackjobs who refuse to accept medical aid such as transfusions, resorting instead to prayer. What I can't figure out is, if life is so horrible here on Earth and so great in Heaven (or whatever it is they believe in), why stick around?
I find it both ironic and hilarious that a liberal who wants a government committee to decide and rule on every facet of their life is making a statement of someone giving up their freedom.
When yo surrender your life to God you find freedom from your sins. When you surrender your life to a government you give up a lot more.
What happens when you surrender your intelligence to ignorance? You become a NavyVet.
Disclaimer: I am not Catholic, have never been so, and have no affiliation with the Catholic Church whatsoever.
That said, thank God there are still a few out there who will still stand up for what's right.
The most shocking thing about people is no longer what they do, but that they now expect everyone else to accept it. I bet you whiners argue with stop signs because they're not understanding enough about *your* particular situation. Sorry, but right and wrong do not vary with your whims.
Since so many of you are so keen on what Jesus would do, consider his encounter with a woman caught in adultery: He told her to "sin no more". He did not say, "OK, come on and join the gang. We know you're actively living in sin, but we understand your situation is different, so you don't have to follow the rules." (Side note: From Jesus, sex except with your marriage partner is a sin)
Another example from Jesus: He angrily turned over the merchant's tables who were selling their merchandise in the Temple, and he chased them off the premises. Yes, Jesus did that.
As loving and compassionate as Jesus was, He did not tolerate willful disobedience. There is a big difference between extending grace, and ignoring blatant immorality.
According to those present, the priest lied. He claimed the woman "introduced her lover" to the congregation, implying that this was done during the service....although her brother says it didn't happen.
I'm positive loving someone of the same gender doesn't violate the Ten Commandments, but lying does.
As far removed as we are from this situation because we were not there.. I find it hard to believe the priest wasn't clued in on Ms. Johnson's status with the church. I would have expected Ms. Johnson to be part of the family sitting with the priest or his assignees to make arragements for the funeral. If not her... then other representatives of the family probably would have said something... or maybe (wink.. wink...) by the way our sister is gay and she may bring her lover to the service.
Who knows...? I still say Ms. Johnson carries the burden of fault on this one.
This guy should not be a priest. Where is the compassion for your fellow human beings?
This woman should not even have entered the sanctuary! Where is her respect for others. Did she present herself in a repentant state or as a proud sinner?
She is demanding that her lifestyle be accepted! God is compassionate and readily extends His grace but on his terms not the terms of a spoiled child.
Join a "church" like obama's if you want to delude yourself, give your soul to God if you want his Grace.
She shouldn't have went to her mother's funeral? Is that what you're saying? Honestly, I agreed with several of your posts to this point, that the Catholic Church can set it's own rules, but this was her mother's FUNERAL. This priest has ruined the last time this woman will see her mother because he was a stickler to the rules. Sure, she probably shouldn't have went for the communion, but not go to the funeral because of semantics? That's sick!
He wasn't even a "stickler for the rules." The Church made it clear he broke the rules on this one. He was essentially substituting his own judgment for God's. Big no-no.
This man is a priest, he is not to judge. If he is turning away anyone regardless of their personal choices he is not following what God asks him to do. There is one judge, God! We are all sinners, since he was called to do God's work he does not get to cast out anyone because he doesn't agree!
Guess you never bothered to read the Scriptures. Might want to give it a shot and see how far off you are. The Church accepts sinners but not the sin just as God does.
Without getting into a discussion of GLBT rights, I wonder what the "rules" of the church are? If they do in fact say that someone in a GLBT relationship cannot receive communion, then the priest was right to uphold them. Not being a Roman Catholic (instead Anglo-Catholic), I don't know but will have to ask my son. Whether you agree with the teachings of the church, it is their right to make that determination. I was not able to take communion at my son's wedding, and understood that going in because I am not RC. I think one of the biggest problems we have these days is everyone wants the rules to apply to everyone except them. Again, I am not RC but will have to ask my son about this. Let the flaming begin. I'm ready.
According to the article the Church's policies do not follow the priest who refused her communion.
Berenerd, Yes that is what the article implies. However, I am more curious about the Canons (Laws) of the Roman Catholic church. Wouldn't be the first time a news article got something wrong.
Comparing homosexuality to a chemically-altered state. Nice. Keep sticking it in further, Padre. You'll be chewing on your kneecap before long.
Father has a breathalyzer on him before he puts the host inside? PIG!!!
Execute him. He probably is a child molester anyways.
These are the kind of ultraconservative fundamentalists priests that are also in abundance in the Roman Church. They are basically terrorists like ALL fundamentalists of any religion.
"Jesus accepted everyone. It is sad that people that should be supporting his work have degenerated into hateful bigots" ...."Adding insult to injury, eh priest! First you do your best to embarrass. Then you decide to double down by comparing this woman to a drunk or drug user. What is wrong with you? And then you go on to insult the diocese. Good luck with your future. And all this in the name of your "faith"? A little sense will go a long way."
Christ did not accept all: Christ confronted the sin of each person, some repented some did not...Read your Bible.
We have forgotten the role of the priest or pastor as a shepherd looking out for the flock .They are charged before God for our souls, they will give an account of their confronting or not confronting our known sins. all of us have the hidden ones but some arrogantly choose to flaunt theirs publicly. if this woman claimed to be apart of the body of Christ yet publicly lives contrary to the teachings of scripture, then the Priest did what he should have as an act of mercy for her....
" I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
(1 Corinthians 5:9-13 ESV)
If he would have let her partake, he would be in sin and she would be in doing so in an unworthy manner...
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world."
(1 Corinthians 11:27-32 ESV)
This priest up held the word of God trying to protect this woman, preferring the ridicule of the world more than his comfort.....something many of you may never comprehend...I say, God bless him!and I hope that through his witness of Christ many souls are saved.
You don't quote Jesus at all.
MichelleA, you are right. Those are Paul's letters to the >>>>
I know! It really bugs the crap out of me when people confuse Paul with Jesus.
I agree, Homosexuality is incorrect!! According to their religion homosexuality is a sin. Why would a homosexual enter a church and expect to be accepted when they know it is viewed as a sin? No, your not suppose to spread your legs and let another woman, dog or whatever else has a tongue lick their vagina. You can choose to do whtever you want with your body, you can stick a pole up your anus for all I care but when you seek purity you can't have it both ways
It is also a sin to have a man do those things. Just sayin. hell its a sin for a guy just to think it!
@Berenerd
This is true!!
This whole thing kind of reminds me of a story I heard a few years back. There was a lesbian couple who had enrolled their kid in a Catholic elementary school. Well, some of the other parents went right throught the roof and wanted the kid out of the school and went to the parish priest to get him on their side. They pointed ou that since her parents were living in a state of sin, she had no place in their school. He offered a compromise; if they would all allow him to inspect their homes to verrify that none of them were using artificial contraception, and thus living in a state of sin themselves, he would let them kick the kid out of school.
Whether you agree or not... This is clearly the Priests responsibility.
* catholicdoors.com/faq/qu31.htm#answer1
If you don't agree with it, find another church.
So this "priest" would have also refused communion to anyone who has ever eaten a little too much (gluttony), Lied ever in their life (so he shouldn't have taken communion), or had a little wine (oh...they were giving wine at the communion so that means noone in the church should have gotten to commune). Guess they are all a bunch of sinners!
Berenerd, no, you are taking it to extremes. The whole point is the state of grace, which means you have asked for forgiveness. He didn't say a little wine - he said (or implied) someone showing up drunk to receive communion. He also said, Lutherans, etc., because they (we) are outside the teachings of the church. I still say you can't show up at someone else's church and change the rules to fit yourself. Any more than you can change the speed limit to 100 because you don't feel like driving 55.
homosexuality is considered a grave sin... at least in most churches that don't change with the wind. The priest is correct to deny Sacrament to those who he deems NOT in a State of Grace.
Five thousand years of history says homosexuality was wrong. Hollywood promoted it and now it is fashionable. At least she wasn't burnt at the stake.
Wow, you know nothing of History, do you? For most of human history, there's been no prohibitions against homosexuality. The Greeks considered it the highest form of love. The Romans looked down on it to a degree (however, their definitions were weird...you weren't gay if you were giving, just receiving. But I digress), but had no prohibitions against it. It's only the people of the "book" who seem to take issue with it. Maybe the problem isn't human nature, but your book?
Also, it's burned at the stake, which I guess is what you'd prefer to happen to this woman.
GOOD FOR HIM! Why is it okay for only lesbians and gays to stand up and say what they believe in??? Why doesn't he have the right as well?? She went to his church..he didn't go to her where she lives or works and chastise her. This is America...last i heard we ALL are given rights to believe as we all want to. One group shouldn't be singled out over others...we are all given voices. Good for him for having the courage to speak up and defend what he thought.