UPDATE on Fr. Marcel Guarnizo [Denied Lesbian Communion]

An Arcdiocese of Washington Catholic ^ | 3/2/12

[marshmallow]

Deacon Greg posted the following update to his story. It seems that someone from St. John Newmann wrote to him the following:

just wanted to let you know that there is a lot more to this story than has been published। I was in a meeting with Fr Marcel and heard the whole story। The woman in question brought her lesbian partner into the vesting sacristy just before the funeral Mass and made sure to introduce her partner to Fr Marcel, introducing her as her ‘lover’. He told her then that she should not present herself for Communion. I have been to many Masses said by Father Marcel and he is a good and holy priest. He speaks very softly when giving out Holy Communion, almost whispering “Corpus Christi” — and did not publicly denounce her but rather said in a whisper that he could not give her Holy Communion. 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.

Father Marcel has a very active role in the very public and weekly vigils at Carhart’s late term abortion clinic in Germantown. He has been a staunch and vociferous defender of life. It is my belief that this is a calculated attempt to discredit him. (Remember – same sex marriage will be signed into law this week in Maryland.) ‘Catholics for Equality’ and other gay groups are feeling pretty strong right now. Fr Marcel is their enemy because he speaks the truth and does not back down…

I am telling you all this because Fr Marcel cannot speak for himself right now. And because he at the very least deserves the benefit of the doubt from you and Ed Peters and others who do not know.........

[Venturer]

I am on the side of the Priest.

I think he did the wrong thing, and I think that the Archdiocese is more worried about political fallout then what is right,

That is my own op[inion and I certainly have no right to judge the workings of a Cardinal of the Church, but certainly history bears out the fact that the Church has been wrong before.

[STJPII]

I saw a reference where Lesbian, Barbara Johnson is a practicing Buddhist. Does anyone have a link? Thanks

[workerbee]

I doubt Fr. Marcel is surprised at Wuerl’s spinelessness. I know I’m not.

[morphing libertarian]

Thanx.

[Salvation]

Prayers foro him who stands up and defends the Catholic Faith!

[circlecity]

"I doubt Fr. Marcel is surprised at Wuerl’s spinelessness. I know I’m not."

But aren't these supposed to be "family matters" that are discussed within the four walls of the Church with any admonishments happening there? Why in the world would you publically humiliate a Priest who was arguably (VERY arguably!)doing the right thing and take the side of an admitted reprobate? What kind of message does that send to the faithful?

[marshmallow]

Marsh, did his bishop support him?

Sadly, no.

HERE is Wednesday's thread on the subject, which tells us that the diocese sent a formal letter of apology to the woman who was denied Communion.

[workerbee]

Know that millions of Catholics across this country share your confusion. For me the "cultural divide" in the Church almost parallels what we see in the Republican party, even in the country as a whole. Two Sundays ago, a visiting priest to our parish received a standing ovation after his homily regarding the imminent legislation to legalize gay marriage in our state. It was one of the most powerful sermons I've ever heard, and certainly a sign that those in the pews are hungry for strong and forthright conviction from our leaders. After Mass, I asked the priest where do they hide the ones like him. If we'd been hearing that kind of thing in our parishes for the last 25 years, we wouldn't be in this mess.

[fwdude]

Father Marcel did the right thing.

Yes, he did. And the Urinestream media's spin on this whole incident is absolutely vomit inducing.

[fwdude]

Good on Father Marcel, but the RCC has brought all of this on themselves with their impotent responses to unrepentant, militant evil in their midst, and their complicity with it in many instances. Does anyone actually think that any members of “Catholics for ‘Equality’” will ever be excommunicated, or at the least, denied communion? Not on your life. I wouldn’t be surprised if many priests themselves weren’t closet members.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I think we're in agreement on this. I think you meant to say, "I am on the side of the Priest... I think he did the wrong right thing.."

Typo --- s'awright, I do it all the time ;o)

To put it more precisely, the priest AND Church law are right on this (Canon 915 says the priest is to refuse Holy Communion to anyone in "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin")

The purpose of this is not to be "mean" to the person presenting (herself) for Communion, or to embarrass her in public, but to protect her from committing a sacrilege. This is really love for the woman, because the priest is doing what he can to gain her repentance, her well-being and redemption.

And the priest must always prevent the Sacrament from being profaned.

So the Archbishop is wrong, as I see it, and the Church (Canon 915) is right.

[Venturer]

The Priest was right,

I don’t know what the Cardinal was thinking.

I had to go back and check on my post, I made two of them in that thread, and I cannot believe I screwed that up. Thanks for correcting me.

I might add that this Diocese is the same one that Pelosi, Biden and the rest go to when they have Mass in Washington, the same one that has Annapolis where many Catholics just voted to pass the same sex marriage amendment. The Governor is Catholic and so is Bohannan the sorry ill informed a-hole who made the passing vote.

[Mrs. Don-o]

We should fast and pray.

[sitetest]

Dear Venturer,

Annapolis is in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, which is arguably even more poorly-run than the Archdiocese of Washington.

It seems that Donna Cardinal Wuerl is protecting his own.

sitetest

[Venturer]

That’s something I didn’t know. I assumed they were in the Archdiocese of Washington, as they are closer to Washington than I am.Thanks for the info.