Given the importance of this matter, and how it is a special teaching moment, here is an article from the archdiocesan newspaper . . .
Incident at St. John Neumann spurs reflection on significance of Holy Communion
Special to the Standard
Recent news accounts have reported an incident at St. John Neumann Parish in Gaithersburg, where a woman was initially denied Communion at her mother’s funeral Mass (she did, however, receive Communion from a Eucharistic minister) and the celebrant did not attend the burial. (Another priest did preside at the graveside service.) In response, the Archdiocese of Washington issued a statement (below) and Auxiliary Bishop Barry Knestout, vicar general, personally contacted members of the family.
This is the statement issued by the archdiocese on February 27:
“In matters of faith and morals, the Church has the responsibility of teaching and of bringing the light of the Gospel message to the circumstances of our day. When questions arise about whether or not individuals should present themselves for Communion, it is not the policy of the Archdiocese of Washington to publicly reprimand the person. 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.
“The archdiocese is looking into the incident at a funeral Mass that was celebrated by Father Marcel Guarnizo and will handle this as a personnel issue.”
This situation provides an opportunity to refresh our understanding of the Eucharist, its importance and the guidelines on how it is to be administered and received.
For Catholics, the Eucharist is the most important of the seven sacraments because we believe that through this mystery, we literally receive the Body and Blood of Christ. It is not just a symbol. Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is an intimate encounter with Christ, in which we sacramentally receive Christ into our bodies, and become more completely assimilated into his.
Therefore, because the Eucharist is Christ himself, who is the center of all Christian life, the Church teaches that Catholics must be properly disposed to receive the Eucharist worthily. Catholics should examine their conscience and make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation if they have committed grave sin before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.
The following guidelines, issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, clarify how Catholics should prepare prior to receiving the Eucharist:
“As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental Confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for Confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the sacrament of penance is encouraged for all.”
The priest has an obligation to make sure that the sacraments are respected. Since it is difficult to know what is in a person’s heart, it is also important that when doubt arises regarding whether a person is properly disposed to receive the Eucharist, it is handled in a pastoral and compassionate manner, privately between the priest and the communicant.
The reception of the Eucharist is a blessing and a grace. We should receive Jesus with the intention of becoming more like him. No one is entitled to the Eucharist. It is a free gift that should be received with humility and reverence. It is also a sign of unity with the Church’s teaching on faith and morals.
COMMENT and RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
Good morning Father,
Barbara Johnson stood first in the line for Communion at her mother’s funeral Saturday morning. But the priest in front of her immediately made it clear that she would not receive the sacramental bread and wine. Father Marcel Guarnizo put his hand over the body of Christ and looked at her 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. ” Family members said the priest left the altar while Johnson was delivering a eulogy and did not attend the burial or find another priest to be there. Guarnizo learned that Johnson was a lesbian just prior to the service. It was at this time, prior to the Mass when Ms. Johnson introduced the priest to her partner that Guarnizo made mention to Johnson not to receive the sacrament. She refused to listen, he refused the wafer. What this appeared to come down to was a battle of wills with two very head strong participants.
Father Marcel Guarnizo was wrong. Johnson was not asking the priest to marry her and her partner, she was asking that her ‘straight’ mother be buried with dignity. The priest denied this by his actions. I have no idea what part of pre-historic Maryland this Priest-Rex evolved from, but in his defense, rules are rules.
Ms. Johnson may not be a complete innocent here. No one forces you to be a Catholic or take Communion. I have been to churches and synagogues for funerals, weddings and other occasions. I will stand, sit and even kneel when it is appropriate. To me, prayer is prayer. I take the approach that “hey, it can’t hurt.” It’s not my faith, but I’m a guest in their home. But what role does Johnson have? Did she decide to make this a political stand? A social enlightenment? Clearly Johnson choose to upstage and openly challenge the priest when she was told not to receive.
The archdiocese does not want the clamor and fallout. Late Tuesday, Johnson received a letter of apology from the Rev. Barry Knestout, one of the archdiocese’s highest-ranking administrators, who said the lack of “kindness” she and her family received “is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me. 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,” Knestout wrote. “I hope that healing and reconciliation with the Church might be possible for you and any others who were affected by this experience. In the meantime, I will offer 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.”
I’ll leave you with this. In 1972, the Sunday after the United States Olympic team lost in basketball to the USSR, I was outside my parish in Lakewood, NJ. Men were talking to men and women to women. A man stood off to the side waiting to speak to Monsignor George Everitt. The Monsignor saw him and walked over to him when the man said, “Father, I’d like to join this church.” Monsignor said well, come back on Monday and there is some information to fill out. The man cut him off and said “but Father, I’m gay.” To this George Everitt out his arms on his shoulders and said “I’m Monsignor Everitt, I’ll be your new pastor. Welcome to Saint Mary of the Lake.” This was 1972, 40 years before Guarnizo vs. Johnson.
FATHER JOE: RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST
There is no sin in being gay. The sin is in performing sexual acts outside of marriage between a man and a woman. Barbara Johnson openly introduced her partner, a woman, to the pastor as her “lover” and right before the funeral began, and then avoided speaking to him. The priest had no choice but to quietly deny her communion, he knew her heart as she told him about it. She recieved communion from the other minister because his refusal was so subtle and discreet the other ministers didn’t even notice it. Now she is doing the rounds in the media, turning her devout mother’s funeral into a personal sounding board for gay rights.
Bottom line, this was a set up. How dispicable to treat your mother’s funeral in this matter. The poor priest had no choice but to protect the sacrament, but the woman in the homosexual relationship should have chosen not to take communion, just like any straight person should di if they are in a state of grave sin.
COMMENT and RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
COMMENT and RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
COMMENT and RESPONSE at BLOGGER PRIEST.
Further information that came out is that she professes to be Buddhist. That is also a definite reason not to RECEIVE (not ‘take’) the Eucharist. (Not wafer, etc) The more I have read about this, the more I think she is an activist, and Fr was set up.