41 Comments

• howareya | Apr 26, 2012, 11:01 AM EDT

  Oh Portia...give it up already!

• Collette2 | Mar 19, 2012, 07:28 AM EDT

  eiriamach, this is so frightening. Yet when a priest fornicates with a woman, his ministry remains valid.

• eiriamach | Mar 17, 2012, 09:52 AM EDT

  Msnbc staff report on U.S. News web site: "The incident occurred when it came time to hand out bread and wine, Barbara Johnson told msnbc.com. Guarnizo 'issued a strong admonition that only Catholics in a state of grace can receive Communion,' she said. 'I went up. I was standing next to my mother’s casket and he covered the bowl, and said, ‘I cannot give you Communion because you are with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin.’ I stood there with my mouth open in a state of shock for -- I don’t know how long.'” "In his statement, Guarnizo said Johnson came into the sacristy with another woman whom she announced as her 'lover,' but Johnson's brother calls this 'an outrageous lie.'" Did the priest set her up to make a humiliating example of her? In his statement to the press he insists that he was correct according to canon law (but not according to diocesan pastoral norms) when he relied on his own appraisal of Ms Johnson's 'sinful state' without any sinful behavior on her part at the funeral mass. So there seems to be a warning in this event: you may be publicly humiliated and rejected if a priest decides to make an issue of your sinfulness, regardless of how private you manage to keep your sex life. This event marks a return to a Medieval shaming ritual, and I might credit the priest's sincerity if he had been routinely carrying out that ritual with his pedophile colleagues.

• darrenphughes | Mar 15, 2012, 01:34 PM EDT

  Keep up the good work Fr. Marcel Guarnizo. Nothing instills more joy in my heart than the demise of the Catholic Church, Christianity, and religion in general! One happy infidel!

• SingleDonald | Mar 15, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT

  KatieMurphy, I must correct you: AH was born 4/20/1889.

• AMWilson | Mar 14, 2012, 09:38 PM EDT

  Portia, there must have been more to your friend's story, as divorce alone is not an obstacle to receiving sacraments in the RCC.

• AMWilson | Mar 14, 2012, 09:34 PM EDT

  The subtitle is not technically accurate.

• KatieMurphy | Mar 14, 2012, 06:28 PM EDT

  Notice how they punish the priest by using excuses, rather then admitting he did terrible things to this woman, in her hour of need.....................Isnt this just another form of inhumanity eg "mental molestation" bu the catholic church, which cannot bear to accept that some people are gay....................The same church whose German Pope in 2009 UNexcommunciated a Bishop williamson, who is a holocaust denier...................(google "pope unexcommunicates holooast denier. BTW someone talked here about "moral codes". Wonder what morality is when the Pope UNexommunicated a holocaust denier. To hell with the whole damned hierarchy. there is little hope, for RATZInger has effectively been in charge for over 20 years while good Pope JPII traveled widely..........And Ratzingers previous job was head of the CDF. Formerly the Inquisition. He is the devil in disguise, of the church that created the hatred of Jews, which found its highest expression in the holocost of Jesus own people. (AH was born and baptized in very catholic Austria in 1888. If you read Mein Kampf, you'll understand how he got to be what he was.

• KatieMurphy | Mar 14, 2012, 03:22 PM EDT

  the sins of his fellow priests are not his responsibility.. this is exactly why the bury your head in the sand attitude has led to endemic abuse and cover ups, the fact that priests and bishops, cardinals etc covered up the crap that went on is a totally valid argument again it is an awful pity the the catholic church does not adhere to the high moral standards they espouse... oh such dizzying heights, its a pity ye can not see the little people from your lofty towers..

• ruaaine | Mar 14, 2012, 02:59 PM EDT

  Ms Johnson if she is a practising catholic knows the rules about grave sin & no Communion,much like my divorced friend who wont take communion as he has relationships. Therefore she shouldn't have placed the priest in such an embarrassing situation. He doesn't make the rules just has to uphold them as does this lady, as a catholic believer, if shes a non believer (which seems to be the only explanation as too why she'd attend communion,).then she should have just gone for a blessing & not make a mockery of our belief in the Body Of Christ.Well done to Father for upholding his faith,which is under attack from all sides,also the sins of his fellow priests are not his responsibility and a totally invalid argument!!

• joebloggs | Mar 14, 2012, 01:44 PM EDT

  Its an awful pity that other priests did not adhere to the high moral standards set my this priest and out their fellow priests who were serial child abusers, fraudsters, nazi sympathisers, jew haters etc, but hey solve the problem just move them on instead !!!!

• Lizdratch | Mar 14, 2012, 11:10 AM EDT

  Just seems to me that in Catholic School I was taught to be like Jesus. He loved all equally. When he fed the hoards following him he didn't say"Homosexuals line up over here & heterosexuals over there so we may feed only thr righteous.He took the sinner into his heart in forgiveness. Here she was shunned by a person who is suppose to minister in a way to help ALL parishoners to bring them into the fold. Jesus would never have turned her away - especially in her hour of need.And NO I'm not gay.

• IrelandNorth | Mar 14, 2012, 07:30 AM EDT

  He refused her communion for living in sin, not being a lesbian. If they had been married, she might have gotten fed. Either way, he's in touch with his canonicles. He's not obliged to commune with a sinner. Besides, communion is the symbolic, not actual, body of Christ. If it were, they could be charged with cannabilism. It's down right unappreciative to eat the body of someone who allegedly died for your sins. It's just not kosher, is it? Grow up, guys. Save yourself like Jushua exemplified. And go veggie like him and the other Essenes.

• eiriamach | Mar 14, 2012, 06:47 AM EDT

  From the current online issue of "Commonweal," Brett Salkeld's interview with the gay theologian Fr. James Alison: "I’ve also been trying for some time to make the case that the church can indeed, from within its own resources, move out of a false, and often a hateful, characterization of and set of attitudes toward gay and lesbian people. I’m convinced that no new evangelization will get very far while its principal proponents, apparently unaware of the power of the gospel they preach, remain hobbled by this sacralized taboo. More and more young people seem to pick this up very quickly." As theologians wrestle with new discoveries about the diverse forms of human sexuality, they call on the churches to change. But if The Unchanging and The Absolute Moral Authority in Human Form are more important to the people than the truth, nothing will change. Institutions that refuse to change are death-driven, and eventually, they find that end.

• PiperMac52 | Mar 14, 2012, 01:10 AM EDT

  The priest did the correct thing in denying the body of Christ to someone that he knew to be living in open sin and in violation of Church(Christs's)teachings. This is not a popularity contest nor should it be an opportunity for moral relativists to make a statement to gain support for their hedonistic lifestyle. If you do not agree with the teaching's of the church established by Christ then I would suggest joining a liberal/modernist church that will bend to accept your debased views with no questions.

• Peterman | Mar 13, 2012, 10:20 PM EDT

  The woman denied communion introduced her lesbian lover that she lives with right before mass. According to canon law the priest cannot give her holy communion. Everyone here can piss, whine, moan and call Catholics and the Church the biggest villains it makes no difference, the laws of the Church weren't invented last week. The moral code itself isn't changeable. You can put us Catholics on barbeque grills like St Laurence, it makes no difference, in season and out, the commandments and the Church don't change.

• PhlutiePhan | Mar 13, 2012, 04:54 PM EDT

  Once upon a time, I was teaching in a Catholic high school. A new Marianist brother was sent in to "reform" the school. I was labeled as anti-gay. I was then targeted for removal. I was accused of "intimidating behavior" by a fellow woman teacher for asking her when she would be through with the xerox machine. The principal was subsequently charged with over forty counts of sodomy over three different states while teaching. The woman was subsequently accepted by the gay community and then given an annulment from her first marriage. She then was made the principal at an all girl high school and after that the president. One rumor after another came out about her. Knestout is the "lap dog" for Wuerl. Wuerl is pulling the strings. This type of thing happened previously with Sister Joyce Volpini. Look up how Malachi Martin felt about Wuerl. JPII rejected his appointment to St. Louis. He subsequently helped get rid of Burke from St. Louis for many of the same reasons associated with Gaurnizo.

• Nicomax | Mar 13, 2012, 04:36 PM EDT

  Just think he may have also given communion to one of his fellow priests who had just came back from fondling an altar boy. You never know who shows up to receive it, so it's best just to give it to them, and hope for the best.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 13, 2012, 04:30 PM EDT

  It's bogus Bishops like these creeps who are weakening the Catholic Church and rotting the morale of the faithful. Jerks like Knestout should have their fat asses kicked out of the Church, they have nothing to offer. If I was living in that diocese, I wouldn't give those vermin a cent. Come to think of it, I don't give a cent where I live either, even tho I attend Mass. These Bum Bishops have to be cleaned out of the Church.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 13, 2012, 04:27 PM EDT

  kamituar2--You make a really stupid claim. You say that the priest denied this woman "comfort". How the hell do you know? He denied her Holy Communion, following on her quite vulgar attempt to sneak it.

• GeorgeDillon | Mar 13, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT

  hollabackgurl "That priest looks like he sleeps in a coffin." Less unpleasant than sleeping with you, I suspect!

• Murph46 | Mar 13, 2012, 03:40 PM EDT

  a little obtuse howareya!

• howareya | Mar 13, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

  Yes, Portia, we "sheeple" do understand that we participate in a sacrifice, however, if you would study anything about the "cult" as you call it, you would know that the original sacrifice was bloody but the sacrifice in the Mass is unbloody. The Victim is the same but the manner of offering is different. On the Cross, the sacrifice was bloody; in the Mass it is unbloody because Christ is now in His glorified state.

• hollabackgurl | Mar 13, 2012, 03:04 PM EDT

  That priest looks like he sleeps in a coffin. They say you get the face you deserve.

• lokionline | Mar 13, 2012, 02:14 PM EDT

  "Father Guarnizo is prohibited from exercising any priestly ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington until all matters can be appropriately resolved with the hope that he might return to priestly ministry"
  
  This is familiar... I wonder where he will pop up again to spread his message of inclusion and love...

• ciaradexy | Mar 13, 2012, 01:12 PM EDT

  RoryTrup, your post is the very opposite of the last word you mentioned in it. Shame on you homophobic bigots.

• kamituar2 | Mar 13, 2012, 12:54 PM EDT

  I think Father Guarnizo needs to review the Eight Beatitudes, especially "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted" Ms. Johnson was in need of comfort from her God and Father Guarnizo took it upon himself to deny her that comfort.SHAME on him!

• Murph46 | Mar 13, 2012, 12:39 PM EDT

  Don't get it,if he was from Archdiocese of Moscow how did he know she lived with a woman? Hell,I live with a woman(my wife) do I have to confess being a lesbian?

• joan1954 | Mar 13, 2012, 12:35 PM EDT

  I agree what in this is Irish? Just another Catholic bashing. This media should stay away from non-Irish issues.

• dibble2008 | Mar 13, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT

  what about tolerance and acceptance and loving so called sinners. Jesus would never humiliate anyone in the name of a sin.

• dibble2008 | Mar 13, 2012, 12:10 PM EDT

  Thats so called priest should be psychologically assessed. He looks deranged.

• SingleDonald | Mar 13, 2012, 11:41 AM EDT

  Just thinking-As a guy who totally rejects Matthew 5:28, and the guilt inspiring teachings of St. Augustine, would a priest be justified in denying me communion? I'm sure that 90% of Catholics, especially unmarried ones (men & women), would agree with me in these beliefs. If I and they were denied communion, Mass attendance would fall off significantly. So, the judgmental priest would be preaching to a sparse congregation!

• pilib04 | Mar 13, 2012, 11:05 AM EDT

  If the irish voice/central did a little investigative work, like read the Archdiocese's statement from beginning to end, we would know that Father Guarnizo was suspended for more than one reason. From Washington Auxiliary Bishop Knestout, vicar general, forcefully stating that there is more than one reason for that action. Bishop Knestout refers to "...intimidating behavior toward parish staff and others..." and "...the grave nature of these allegations..." "...until all matters can be appropriately resolved." No mention at all of Barbara Johnson or the incident! This man has other issues. Apparently he was from DC originally, studied in Rome and was ordained by Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Apostolic Administration of European Russia. Yeah, there is more to this than meets the eye.

• Portia777 | Mar 13, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT

  The sheeple of the Roman Catholic cult have no idea that they participate in a blood sacrifice ceremony during communion. She ought to be glad he refused her.

• Portia777 | Mar 13, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT

  My friend here in UK was refused communion and last rites because she was divorced from her violent husband. She was devestated. So we explained to her that anyone can bless water and give the lst rites- not just men in frocks. And so it was, She passed over happy.

• pilib04 | Mar 13, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT

  OldMariner, that is not why Father Guarnizo denied Barbara Johnson the Eucharist. It is stated very plainly in the article that he judged her as living in sin. The Curia is not going to allow such a thing. Imagine how out of hand that could get. Particularly not from someone who just showed up in the Diocese this year.

• pilib04 | Mar 13, 2012, 10:48 AM EDT

  First question comes to mind, what is a priest from the Archdiocese of Moscow doing in the DC Archdioces? The Curia came up with a sensible solution to a very unnecessary problem. I personally know of no priest who has stepped across the line and became a judge of a parishioner. However, I know that others have experienced this type of behavior in the past. I wonder what other incidents have transpired in the past with Father Guarnizo? Perhaps that is why he is here instead of Russia? Perhaps the diocese has already dealt with him.

• OldMariner | Mar 13, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT

  What isn't mentioned is the fact the Ms Johnson is a Buddhist, as also reported in some of the local DC area media. So, if this is the case, the Father has the duty not to administer communion, as he would have if he knows the recipient hasn't gone to confession.

• jjkleprechaun | Mar 13, 2012, 10:23 AM EDT

  Our Clergy are not out of touch...unfortunately it is the parishioners who are out of touch with Christ's teachings on personal relationships, marriage and definitely sexual practices. Perhaps the reception of Holy Communion should have been handled prior to the funeral, but technically he was correct in refusing her if she is a sexually practicing lesbian. Scripture backs him up on this...check out the 2nd Creation Story where the animals were not a suitable companion for Adam and then God created woman...not another male!

• mikehoulihan | Mar 13, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  Nobody in this story is Irish or Irish-American. Why then is it in Irish Central? Just another opportunity to bash the Catholic Church, that's why. Shame on you Niall O'Dowd.

• charlesm | Mar 13, 2012, 10:08 AM EDT

  Are our Catholic clergy/hierarchy still so out of touch with 21st century life? Those of us who try to follow the life and ministry of Jesus continue to be embarrassed by the actions of those few putatively celibate men who pretend to be the CHURCH. It is clear from any serious reading/study of the Christian Scriptures that the church is the PEOPLE attuned to the Spirit of God, just as Jesus was. So pathetic that the clergy are so narrowly obsessed with issues of personal relationships, marriage and sexual practices.