(CNN) - Barbara Johnson says she was denied communion at her mother's funeral in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Saturday because she is a lesbian.
Later, as she delivered the eulogy, she says Father Marcel Guarnizo left the altar and didn't return until she was done speaking. Johnson says the Priest also skipped the burial service, claiming he was sick.
Johnson tells CNN the reason she is speaking out about this now is because, "we would not want any other family to go through what was the worst experience on the very worst day of all of our lives." That is why, she adds, "we believe it's important that Father Marcel is removed from parish life."
The Archdiocese of Washington says it is looking into the incident and will handle it as a personnel issue.
Bad impression of a priest–looked like he was leading a flock of sheep astray.
He did not bless the mother because of the daughter. Fundamentally poor actions.
As Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story" http://cnsnews.com/news/article/father-marcel-guarnizo-i-did-only-thing-faithful-catholic-priest-could-do
Nice of CNN to be thorough.
This issue is not about the 'sins' of a woman, it's about the total lack of sensitivity and respect towards a human being. Appalling that this ever happened. How would you feel if this happened to you? (straight, gay, or unicorn, it would hit somewhere pretty low!)
Why they picking on Drew Carey?
I really need to get out of piynag my maintenance fees this year. Can Transfer America make it so all of my timeshare fees go away for good? I have tried to sell it already and am sick of wasting time, no one seriously wants to buy it.
Do you really think that the Roman Church will change it's ways just to accommodate a self proclaimed sinner ?
The Roman Catholic Church hasn't changed its ways since the Inquisition and the Holocaust so I hardly expect it to develop any resemblance to Jesus Christ now. The Church always has and always will be a corporation representing the interests of old fat white guys.