As I was glancing at my Washington Post on Friday morning, I was dumbfounded by this headline: “Gay patient says Catholic chaplain refused him last rites.”
The story focuses on Ronald Plishka, who was admitted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center after a heart attack and asked for a priest when — after 24 hours — he became concerned that he might not make it.
Plishka, 63, said he was an altar boy when he was young and now regularly attends Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
He said he believes in the sacraments and asked for the anointing of the sick, including Communion.
A priest named Fr. Brian Coelho responded to his request, and when they engaged in conversation, Plishka revealed that he is gay. In fact, he had started to talk about Pope Francis and how his “who am I to judge?” attitude toward LGBT people heartened him. Continue reading.
Maureen Fiedler, SL, is the host of Interfaith Voices, a public radio show in North America. She has been involved in interfaith activities for more than three decades as an active participant in coalitions working for social justice, racial and gender equality, and peace.
Source: National Catholic Reporter
Image: mountsaintagnes.org