Priest gets heat for denying lesbian Communion at mother's funeral

[Sarcalogos Deus]

ALthough I don't agree with the priest refusing her communion, there appears to be an agenda by the woman here.

Otherwise, how did this make into the National News if she didn't make it known to a media outlet?

Jim

Yep, If this happened to me for some reason I would probably angry (that the priest walked out) but I wouldn't haul it to the media (and quite frankly if I wasn't gay they wouldn't care). For some reason every single slight that happens to the gay community gets mass media coverage.

EDIT: This particular quote of hers also makes me suspect whether she truly considers herself Catholic or not “You brought your politics, not your God into that Church yesterday, and you will pay dearly on the day of judgment for judging me,”.

 

[BabyChristian22]

Yep, If this happened to me for some reason I would probably angry (that the priest walked out) but I wouldn't haul it to the media (and quite frankly if I wasn't gay they wouldn't care). For some reason every single slight that happens to the gay community gets mass media coverage.

The gay activists have more political power than anyone else. They also have a lot of money, and maybe that's the reason they have so much power to influence the mainstream media.

 

[Sarcalogos Deus]

The gays have more political power than anyone else. They also have a lot of money, and maybe that's the reason they have so much power to influence the mainstream media.

I think it's more because the media likes to try and paint gays as a discriminated against minority. Which simply isn't true, I have gay friends and not a single one of them has ever felt discriminated against, and this is Oklahoma (the Reddest state in the Union)

 

[Tigg]

UPDATE III: Canon lawyer Ed Peters — a frequent commenter on this post — has weighed in on his own blog:

This is what happens when bizarre events (like an admitted practicing lesbian presenting herself for holy Communion in the first place), happen on the watch of priests whose love for the Eucharist probably exceeds their knowledge of the law on reception of holy Communion (through no fault of their own, doubtless), before a well-wired-world that can broadcast misinformation and even flatly wrong interpretations of an event with nary a care for correcting itself later. No matter who gets hurt along the way. And plenty of people have been hurt in this one.

I have expended no little effort over many years (like about 22) trying to get Canon 915 correctly understood and properly applied in ecclesiastical life. In the last few years, some signs of progress have appeared. Now, out of nowhere, Canon 915 is being invoked by some as justification for an action that, reading the facts as alleged in the light most favorable to the minister, would not have justified his withholding holy Communion from the woman in question. Specifically, a few minutes conversation (if that’s what happened), mostly with a third party (if that’s what happened), would not suffice, in the face of numerous canons protecting the right of the faithful to receive the sacraments, to verify either the notoriety of the (objectively) sinful situation, or to verify the obstinacy of the would-be recipient, both of which elements, among others in Canon 915, mustbe demonstrated before withholding holy Communion.
​

RELATED:In the e-mail: “I wanted you to know there is more to this story…”

Archdiocese of Washington sends apology to lesbian who was denied communion

Thanks Michie. I is late here however - if this be true and I have no reason to suppect it isn't, then the daughter is a moron and so nasty for doing this at her mom's funeral. And this -

"He did feel sick at the end of Mass and made sure to have a replacement priest accompany the body and family to the cemetery."

In the e-mail: “I wanted you to know there is more to this story…” « The Deacon's Bench

And simply put the Archdiocese - Rev. Barry Knestout, one of the archdiocese’s highest-ranking administrators - should have upheld the priest. Of course he didn't cause it is not anymore about Christ and His Church but what politicians and all others think. For shame.

I will stand with the Priest.

 

[Needing_Grace]

I think it's more because the media likes to try and paint gays as a discriminated against minority. Which simply isn't true, I have gay friends and not a single one of them has ever felt discriminated against, and this is Oklahoma (the Reddest state in the Union)

Well, you now know one. I've contemplated throwing myself in front of Metro trains because of what homosexuality means to me, especially as a Christian.

Fortunately, I believe that suicide like that is an irreversible ticket to Hell, so I never gave more than a second's thought.

But I have suffered a lot an anguish because I am a dude who likes does. I've tried to "pray the Gay away." Instead, now I just pray, "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me and help me with this, please!"

As to this case, now that we have more info, it appears that withholding communion was probably the right thing.

Just be certain everyone understand the following:

It is not a sin to be a lesbian or gay man. Sorry, haters, but them's the breaks.

It is not a sin for people who are lesbian or gay to live in the same place as long as everyone understands and agrees that chastity is the rule.

It IS a sin for anyone to have sex with any member of the same sex under any circumstances.

 

[BabyChristian22]

Well, you now know one. I've contemplated throwing myself in front of Metro trains because of what homosexuality means to me, especially as a Christian.

Fortunately, I believe that suicide like that is an irreversible ticket to Hell, so I never gave more than a second's thought.

But I have suffered a lot an anguish because I am a dude who likes does. I've tried to "pray the Gay away." Instead, now I just pray, "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me and help me with this, please!"

As to this case, now that we have more info, it appears that withholding communion was probably the right thing.

Just be certain everyone understand the following:

It is not a sin to be a lesbian or gay man. Sorry, haters, but them's the breaks.

It is not a sin for people who are lesbian or gay to live in the same place as long as everyone understands and agrees that chastity is the rule.

It IS a sin for anyone to have sex with any member of the same sex under any circumstances.

May God bless you in your struggles. I sympathize with you because you seem humble. But I don't like the arrogant ones who attack the Catholic Church. Sorry if I sometimes fail to make that distinction clear when I'm talking about homosexuals. Maybe the gay activists who attack the Catholic Church are the loud minority, and maybe the majority are humble like you. I don't know. I'm not perfect. Believe me, heterosexuals struggle with sin, too. I'm glad you didn't throw yourself in front of a train, brother. I'm also glad that you realize the power of God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconcilation. There's nothing that God can't forgive in that Sacrament. I would appreciate if you will pray for me in my struggles, too. I hope when I die that it's right after I had just made a good confession to a priest. We are all needing grace.

 

[Michie]

Archdiocese of Washington issues statement on reception of Communion

http://cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=5015

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Archdiocese of Washington issues statement on reception of Communion

[URL="http://cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=5015"]http://cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=5015[/URL]

I think this incident has helped many to understand what the Eucharist is to the Catholic Church and that is good.

 

[Colin]

Wasn't someone once castigated by the "religious" authorities for communing with prostitutes and sinners ?

 

[ThePilgrim]

Wasn't someone once castigated by the "religious" authorities for communing with prostitutes and sinners ?

The problem with that is that Christ's goal was to bring us to repentance. We must be in a state of repentance in order to receive communion.

That doesn't mean, of course, that we shouldn't reach out in Christian love to those who are marginalized or hardened in sin. I think the example of Elder Porphyrios is a good one: MYSTAGOGY: Elder Porphyrios In the House of Prostitution

The goal, though, should always be lovingly to guide people back to life in Christ.

In Christ,
Fr. John

 

[Ave Maria]

This lesbian woman who is living in a relationship with another woman should not have even presented herself for Communion. She should have known full well that she should not be receiving the Eucharist while in a state of grave sin.

 

[benedictaoo]

Well, you now know one. I've contemplated throwing myself in front of Metro trains because of what homosexuality means to me, especially as a Christian.

Fortunately, I believe that suicide like that is an irreversible ticket to Hell, so I never gave more than a second's thought.

But I have suffered a lot an anguish because I am a dude who likes does. I've tried to "pray the Gay away." Instead, now I just pray, "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me and help me with this, please!"

As to this case, now that we have more info, it appears that withholding communion was probably the right thing.

Just be certain everyone understand the following:

It is not a sin to be a lesbian or gay man. Sorry, haters, but them's the breaks.

It is not a sin for people who are lesbian or gay to live in the same place as long as everyone understands and agrees that chastity is the rule.

It IS a sin for anyone to have sex with any member of the same sex under any circumstances.

Yeah. I wish we would just get to the point where we accept homosexual and lesbian people exist and get over it.

Acting like they don't or wanting them to be in closets is a ridiculous expectation. The exist, have since day one, they're for real so get over it and deal with it.

We should not treat them any different then we do straight sinners.

if we are going to turn down Lesbian women for Communion (which I understand a Lesbian should not be receiving if she having a sexual relationship) we ought to do the same with the straight couple that's having sex and not married. The problem is, we give them the benefit of the doubt because they aren't wearing a sign that says they fornicate.

So we need to get over this notion that straight fornication is okay. How many OBOBer's have fornicated? I just do not see why the lesbian and gays sins are spotlighted and the straight ppl's sins are blown off.

 

[benedictaoo]

May God bless you in your struggles. I sympathize with you because you seem humble. But I don't like the arrogant ones who attack the Catholic Church. Sorry if I sometimes fail to make that distinction clear when I'm talking about homosexuals. Maybe the gay activists who attack the Catholic Church are the loud minority, and maybe the majority are humble like you. I don't know. I'm not perfect. Believe me, heterosexuals struggle with sin, too. I'm glad you didn't throw yourself in front of a train, brother. I'm also glad that you realize the power of God's mercy in the Sacrament of Reconcilation. There's nothing that God can't forgive in that Sacrament. I would appreciate if you will pray for me in my struggles, too. I hope when I die that it's right after I had just made a good confession to a priest. We are all needing grace.

and who might these gay persons be?

Abstract gays that are "out there somewhere..." The media?

You know 'they' just might attack and be arrogant because of how they have been treated by Christians and other folks of all walks of life... maybe understanding this, and you not showing contempt for these abstract ppl that are out there somewhere... may help out the cause.

Just sayin'.

 

[jmc1214]

if we are going to turn down Lesbian women for Communion (which I understand a Lesbian should not be receiving if she having a sexual relationship) we ought to do the same with the straight couple that's having sex and not married. The problem is, we give them the benefit of the doubt because they aren't wearing a sign that says they fornicate.

Well, yes, one of the criterion for the refusal of communion is that the person's sin be manifest ... that is, it must be known and it appears that the woman in question resolved that point by showing up with her lesbian lover. You recognize that practicing homosexuals should not receive communion and the priest has the same understanding. If you want to make the point that others "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin" should be refused communion I would agree with you, but the fact that the canon is not applied as widely as it should be says nothing about whether it was appropriately applied in this case.

JMC

 

[Tigg]

If I do as this woman is reported to have done, lets say I am shacked up, and it is known and I tell the priest just before my mom's funeral, that this is my lover and then go up to get communion, let us hope that I would be refused. And rightly so. Maybe the priest should of given her or me in my make believe case, a blessing. This woman was 100% wrong and knew it. The fact, if so that she has been to a lot of differing parishes and receved communion doesn't mean diddly squat. It is this one, her mother's that is at issue. I am so sorry she used her mother's funeral to push the issue. I believe she thought the Priest wouldn't dare not give her communion cause it was a funeral for her mom. Sad that

I do wish the Church would publicly and actively hold to it's standards period.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Wasn't someone once castigated by the "religious" authorities for communing with prostitutes and sinners ?

Actually once Jesus said 'Go and sin no more' they generally obeyed. IE - no more mortal sinning anyway.
The Jews did not wish to let them go of their sins and they could not understand how Christ could forgive sins.

This does not mean Jesus wants the Holy of Holies [His Divine Flesh and Blood] to be taken by sinners who do not repent. HE is GOD, not a chum on the streets - HE IS GOD.

BIG difference.

If I do as this woman is reported to have done, lets say I am shacked up, and it is known and I tell the priest just before my mom's funeral, that this is my lover and then go up to get communion, let us hope that I would be refused. And rightly so. Maybe the priest should of given her or me in my make believe case, a blessing. This woman was 100% wrong and knew it. The fact, if so that she has been to a lot of differing parishes and receved communion doesn't mean diddly squat. It is this one, her mother's that is at issue. I am so sorry she used her mother's funeral to push the issue. I believe she thought the Priest wouldn't dare not give her communion cause it was a funeral for her mom. Sad that

I do wish the Church would publicly and actively hold to it's standards period.

IT was an absolute set up.

SHE took her lesbian lover to tell the priest she was living in sin and THEN marched up the Communion line to receive...and i feel she knew because her lover stood between her and the priest when she was done putting the sin out there so the priest could not discuss anything with her.

SHE did this to set up the priest and make a mockery of everything.

Of the Eucharist, the priest, the Church.

I small a rat...and she stinks out loud. Causing a scandal is what some want or like to do...may she repent of it and convert in heart.

 

[WarriorAngel]

and who might these gay persons be?

Abstract gays that are "out there somewhere..." The media?

You know 'they' just might attack and be arrogant because of how they have been treated by Christians and other folks of all walks of life... maybe understanding this, and you not showing contempt for these abstract ppl that are out there somewhere... may help out the cause.

Just sayin'.

Are you saying the choices this woman made to intentionally scandalize the priest, the Church and the Eucharist is typical of lesbians and gays??
Because thats how i am reading your defense.

As tho the perpetrator is the victim somehow....??

Do you defend everyone who says they are gay regardless of their hurtful behavior to others and the CHURCH that Christ owns??

 

[Antigone]

IT was an absolute set up.

SHE took her lesbian lover to tell the priest she was living in sin and THEN marched up the Communion line to receive...and i feel she knew because her lover stood between her and the priest when she was done putting the sin out there so the priest could not discuss anything with her.

Are you saying the choices this woman made to intentionally scandalize the priest, the Church and the Eucharist is typical of lesbians and gays??
Because thats how i am reading your defense.

I'd like to see your proof of this because frankly, this is a very uncharitable assumption to make.

She was burying her mother. Of course she wanted her significant other to be there.

 

[Theofane]

Who here hasn't sinned though?

That's not the point.

 

[Theofane]

If I do as this woman is reported to have done, lets say I am shacked up, and it is known and I tell the priest just before my mom's funeral, that this is my lover and then go up to get communion, let us hope that I would be refused. And rightly so. Maybe the priest should of given her or me in my make believe case, a blessing. This woman was 100% wrong and knew it. The fact, if so that she has been to a lot of differing parishes and receved communion doesn't mean diddly squat. It is this one, her mother's that is at issue. I am so sorry she used her mother's funeral to push the issue. I believe she thought the Priest wouldn't dare not give her communion cause it was a funeral for her mom. Sad that

I do wish the Church would publicly and actively hold to it's standards period.

^^^ This.