Priest hits back over suspension for denying lesbian Communion

A Washington priest who denied a Lesbian the opportunity of  Holy Communion at her mother’s funeral, says his suspension has “everything to do” with his decision to deny Barbara Johnson Communion.

According to the Washington Post, when Johnson approached Fr Marcel Guarnizo for Communion, Guarnizo put his hand over the Host and said, “I can’t give you Communion because you live with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin.”

The letter of administrative leave from Bishop Barry Knestout says Guarnizo was suspended from ministry because he engaged in “intimidating behaviour” toward parish staff and others that is incompatible with proper priestly ministry.

Fr Thomas LaHood, the parish priest at St John Neumann, said the suspension was not related to the Holy Communion incident but to other actions over the past week or so.

However Guarnizo insists the suspension has everything to do with his decision to withhold Communion.

In a statement responding to the Archdiocese’s suspension, Guarnizo says “I understand and agree it is the policy of the Archdiocese to assume good faith when a Catholic presents himself for communion; like most priests I am not at all eager to withhold communion.”

Guarnizo says in this case the choice was clear.

“If a Catholic, divorced and remarried (without an annulment) would make that known in my sacristy, they too according to Catholic doctrine, would be impeded from receiving communion.”

“Ms. Johnson’s circumstances are precisely one of those relations which impede her access to communion according to Catholic teaching.”

“Ms Johnson promptly chose to go to the Eucharistic minister to receive communion and did so. There was no scandal, no “public reprimand” and no small lecture as some have reported”, wrote Guarnizo.

Subsequent to the communion refusal and the media response, the Johnson family released the following statement.

“The Johnson family continues to pray for the Archdiocese of Washington, Father Guarnizo, and all Catholics during this time of upheaval. While we understand this letter does not pertain to the events that occurred at our mother’s funeral, we are hopeful that Bishop Knestout’s decision will ensure that no others will have to undergo the traumatic experiences brought upon our family. We urge all Catholics to put aside political points of view, and pray that our Church will remain in Christ’s love.”

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