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Maryland Priest Under Fire For Denying Communion To Lesbian Daughter At Mother’s Funeral

The Washington Post has a story that has left many deeply disturbed. Barbara Johnson was attending her mother’s funeral at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland when she went up to receive communion. Upon seeing her, Rev. Marcel Guarnizo refused to give her the host, saying that he was aware that she was a lesbian living with another woman and therefore a sinner. Later, when Johnson was giving the eulogy, Gaurnizo abruptly left the service — leaving no priest at the remainder of the service or attending the burial.

Rev. Guarnizo was informed of Johnson’s status before the ceremony by someone in the church. She said “He put his hand over the body of Christ and looked at me 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 confrontation has led to angry letters demanding the removal of Guarnizo. In response, Rev. Barry Knestout, one of the archdiocese’s highest-ranking administrators, wrote an apology for the act of unkindness that “is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me.” He added: “I am sorry that what should have been a celebration of your mother’s life, in light of her faith in Jesus Christ, was overshadowed by a lack of pastoral sensitivity.” Hoping that “healing and reconciliation with the Church might be possible for you and any others who were affected by this experience,” Rev. Knestout offered to conduct a “Mass for the happy repose of your mother’s soul. May God bring you and your family comfort in your grief and hope in the Resurrection.”

There is now however a push back from other parishioners who cite Canon Law 915. This canon reads: “Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.”

Yet, the Archdiocese has stated that “it is not the policy of the Archdiocese of Washington to publicly reprimand the person” and that “Any issues regarding the suitability of an individual to receive communion should be addressed by the priest with that person in a private, pastoral setting.”

This still leaves the issue of communion. If Rev. Guarnizo had raised it privately before the service, would the Archdiocese agree with him that Canon 915 bars the receipt of communion? Of course, there remains the sudden departure of the priest.

The issue of discrimination by religious organizations remains a difficult one. I have previously written against the application of discrimination laws in some circumstances to religious groups as a denial of the free exercise of religion. I think we can all agree that this priest’s conduct was inexcusable in how he handled the matter and he should be disciplined. However, what about the more general question of denying communion to Ms. Johnson. Which should control Canon 915 or non-discrimination laws? I have to ultimately (and reluctantly) support the Church’s right to exclusion. What do you think?

Source: Washington Post

62 thoughts on “Maryland Priest Under Fire For Denying Communion To Lesbian Daughter At Mother’s Funeral”

  1. Soooo… That Canon (I like the notion of a Canon law and not some pee shooter law) Law says that they can withold communion to sinners. This would be a good thing to enforce on the priests who have anally raped children. The pedophile is too tame here. Child buggery too English and too tame. And since this Priest knew who the sinners were that day it would be good for the rest of us, none Catholics with children for sure, to know who the priests who rape children are. Priest Perp Periodical Number 1.

    I suppose families in that Parish can now chose to have a non Catholic service at a funeral home. Most families in that Parish should do so, we just dont know if they know about Aunt Betty and the carrying on with the Nuns.

    Here is a jingle we used to sing to glorifiy the nuns at a local school:

    Glory, Glory HalleluYa!
    Sister hit me with a Rula..
    I beaned her in the bean with a rotten tangerine
    And school kept marching on….

    On another note. I got married in a Cat o Like church and they dont trust the participants. All the side doors are locked from the outside so one can not escape if one gets cold feet.

  2. I don’t know anything about the teaching of this church, but I would surmise that this is not much different than other groups, where you have to meet the qualifications in order to partake.

    It is like an all girls club, but, only men are in charge. The root of the evil is ostrizing because I perceive you as different from me theory.

  6. Swarthmore mom,

    I’d say Canon Law is applied in a discriminatory fashion.

    Shouldn’t a priest provide solace and support to a grieving child? What’s more important–doing what is morally right or following Canon Law?

  7. Actually this priest was wrong along with being insensitive. Since when does living with a woman as he says disqualify one from taking communion. There is a list of churches that are designated LGBT friendly. Elaine is right about the annulments.

  8. By it’s very nature religion admits some and excludes others and does so based its own interpretation of the divine. That is its greatest flaw.The prirest was wrong to leave the service as we all agree. The priest was correct to deny the sacrament to one the Church deems ineligible, and one has to wonder why someone knowing they are likely ineligible would insist on participating. A funeral is not the time or place to nail your theses to the Church door. That’s simple decency and respect for the dead.

  9. Canon Law 915: “Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.”

    Why do we have to assume that gay people have committed a grave sin and fall under this Canon Law?

    So in the eyes of the church, pedophile is not a grave sin but homosexuality is. Go figure….

  10. Is Newt Gingrich allowed to receive communion? What about other adulterers? How about unethical businessmen and women who cheat and steal?

    I’m sure if this woman were very wealthy and had donated lots of money to the church she would have been allowed to receive communion. Rich people can buy annulments. Money talks.

  12. As an addendum, “two wrongs do not make a right” ……found myself speechless previously as the bile rose in my throat from the horror of what had transpired sunk in.

  13. AY said it best. The Church is supposed to be welcoming, but instead it’s face is one of arrogance and hate. This so-called man of God needs to ask himself What would Jesus do? Disgusting.

  14. Hey but it’s alright for the Catholic Church to essentially condone pedophilia and hide that monsters that perpetrate the attacks…..Amazing

  15. Was this the deceased’s parish? No doubt if it was, it was her wish that her funeral be held there. How is it in the interest of your faith community to be disrespectful towards the family of one of your lost members?

  17. I wonder who was the insensitive person here? Perhaps she was overwhelmed, perhaps…..many reasons. But the church has its reasons, well-known and supposedly leading to resurrection, etc.

    So I presume there would have been a private burial alternative.

    And had she been taking communion since her declaration of sexual choice; with or without notifiying the priest? Whatever. Putting our noses in our neighbors lives is what makes religion unsuitable for mass consumption.

  18. I believe the church receives a certain amount of public money through both its schools and faith based initiatives. Unfortunately, from what I’ve read (and please, please tell me I’m just not up to date) ENDA was never passed so these groups can continue to receive public money and discriminate all they want, at least in regards to federal funds and laws. Maryland has employment protection for sexual orientation, but I don’t think that qualifies here.

    With all that said, I’m not sure this particular situation should be a legal issue. Should the priest in question be publicly ridiculed? Sure. He was grossly insensitive and I am glad the archdiocese is reaching out to the family. I am very saddened by the parishioners who are pushing back on that point. One of their own passed away and they’re going to side with the man who was so cruel to her daughter? I try to be an open minded non-believer, but cases like this make it hard.

  19. BTW – yes I agree with your point prof. If the church says you have to present yourself wearing an orange clown wig and red nose thats their rule inside the walls of their church. If they say whites only thats their rule inside the walls of their church. If they say men and women must sit separately, again inside thats their rule. If they say you can’t be gay – same thing.

    Its when they insist that the government enforce those rules that it becomes an issue.

  20. I understand how hard it is for people who believe in this hokum to have it yanked out from under them. How could this guy be so insensitive as to leave the mother, whos only ‘crime’ was giving birth to a gay daughter, without a proper burial?

    AS for the daughter? Dear, Jesus said he accepted all who came to him. If the local outlet pretending to carry his message rejected you I suggest you find an outlet that shares their ‘founders’ message. If they will not share Christ’s meal with you they are unworthy of the franchise.

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