Grandstanding priest Marcel Guarnizo scolds lesbian woman at mother's funeral (photo: uca news)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [UPDATE: Priest suspended, see below.] A grieving lesbian woman, first in line for communion at her mother’s funeral, was told by the priest, Marcel Guarnizo, that “I cannot give you communion because you live with a woman and that is a sin in the eyes of the church.” Later, as Barbara Johnson rose to give her mother’s eulogy, the priest left the altar and didn’t return until she was nearly done.

This incident occurred at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. A forceful condemnation against the priest from the Archdiocese was not forthcoming other than a statement that it was a personnel matter.

I don’t know about you, but this is clearly a cue for many of you to move to a more Christ-like place of worship.

More details: Lesbian Woman Denied Communion at Mother’s Funeral | ABC News – Yahoo!.

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UPDATED March 13, 2012.  From Addicting Info: Details about why Guarnizo was placed on ministerial leave, which is a severe penalty, were not available. In a letter from Bishop Barry Knestout, a top administrator for the archdiocese covering Washington D.C. and the Maryland suburbs, it states the penalty was for “engaging in intimidating behavior toward parish staff and others that is incompatible with proper priestly ministry.” The letter, dated March 9, was read at all masses celebrated this weekend at St. John Neumann, the church where the incident took place. However, it was noted in the letter that Guarnizo’s removal was not due to the Communion standoff, but “pertains to actions over the past week or two.”

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/03/12/update-priest-who-walked-out-on-funeral-placed-on-administrative-leave/

Grandstanding priest Marcel Guarnizo scolds lesbian woman at mother's funeral (photo: uca news)

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Categories: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights

Tags: Archdiocese, Barbara Johnson, Gaithersburg, I cannot give you communion because you live with a woman, Marcel Guarnizo, Maryland, mother's funeral, priest, St. John Neumann Catholic Church