Lesbian: I was denied communion at mom's funeral

Barbara Johnson / WUSA

(CBS News) GAITHERSBURG, Md. - It's been an extremely difficult week for Barbara Johnson of Washington, D.C. - perhaps the most difficult week of her life.

As CBS station WUSA reports, it all started on Saturday at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, where friends and family had gathered to say goodbye to Barbara's mother, who died last week after a brief illness. (Watch full report below).

Just a few minutes before the funeral began, Father Marcel Guarnizo, who was presiding over the service, apparently learned that Barbara was involved in a romantic relationship with another woman.

A lifelong Catholic and former Catholic school teacher, Barbara says she hadn't even considered that her sexual orientation would be a problem with Father Marcel until she stepped forward to take communion.

"He said, 'I can not give you communion because you live with a woman,'" Barbara says.

Though shaken by Father Marcel's actions, Barbara says she tried to compose herself to give her mother the dignified funeral she deserved. So a few minutes later, Barbara began her eulogy.

"At which time Father Marcel left the altar and didn't return until I finished my eulogy," Barbara says.

According to Barbara, things got even worse, because after first refusing to give her communion, and then walking off the altar when Barbara was giving her eulogy, Father Marcel refused to go with Barbara's mother's body to the cemetery in Aspen Hill. Barbara says she was told that Father Marcel had suddenly become ill.

In a written statement, the Archdiocese of Washington conceded that Father Marcel had acted improperly, saying, "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."

Barbara Johnson says she's satisfied with the statement, though she adds that the damage done, both to her family and to her mother's memory, could never be repaired.

"We don't get a do-over. This was her one moment to pass from this earth," Barbara says.

[SECUREOURBORDERSNOW]

I suppose some of you think that the Catholic Church is just like the ice cream shop. Walk up to the window and ask for a strawberry ice cream cone. And the clerk hands it to you. No, no, no, the Catholic Church has canon laws and if you don't want to abide by them, do not try to receive Holy Communion. "She's a lifelong Catholic" what exactly does this mean. Surely, being a "lifelong Catholic" she knows the Catholic Church stand on homosexuality. The priest just learned about her personal situation, what was he to do, take her aside and have a private discussion. Perhaps she should have taken it upon herself to realize what she was doing was against canon law. It's about damn time the Catholic Church actually stands for something. There was Ted Kennedy, a Democrat who championed abortion rights and then U.S. President, another Democrat and a Baptist, took Holy Communion at a Mass in Soweto, South Africa as a result of a decision by the South African Catholic Bishops' Conference permitting him to do so. I was not so political for a good part of my life but I realized that the Democratic party, Catholic belief and abortion cannot co-exist. So I changed my party affiliation. These two examples make a mockery of Holy Communion. Please. I applaud the Catholic Church rising up against the contraception mandate from HHS. All Catholic Churches should abide by canon law and not pick and choose which ones shall be followed.

[karena_2020]

Just remember he does not represent the majority. I am so sorry for your loss and sorry he could not be a good human being when you needed him. God bless you, namaste

[RIPVESU]

http://bearingdrift.com/2012/03/01/legislation-to-ban-discrimination-in-churches/

[rightontarget]

Well, although I am all FOR the legalization of gay "marriage" because the government should not determine what is a "marriage" based upon gay or straignt I think in THIS particular instance a life long "Catholic" should know what is required by that church in order to receive communion. It IS that church's (as with any church)right to make the rules for their own parishioners. If that is the Catholic rules then she should have known better. It is no reflection on her mother. She should have just stayed in her seat and not gone up to get communion. Her personal belief may be that she is entitled but if that church "rules" say she is not then so be it. So go find another church or just keep your faith between you and your God. I do believe that gays should have EVERY right to legally "marry" just as any straight person but Church "rules" are something else. That's exactly why I decided long ago that no mortal person, man, woman, priest, Pope, preacher, minister, rabbi or anyone else is going to tell me what I personally "should" believe.

[Dgunner]

I am not catholic but have studied religons for 14 years. I have read the bible and it has revealed many things to me. In my learning though the bible states that lesbianism and homosexualaity is a abomination to God. To judge the worthiness of one of GOD"S children wether they should receive communion goes against the word that states to be a fishermen among men. That simple act od communion might have been the preist's chance to fish for his lord . IMO the lesbian and the preist both sinned against the word. It is written . Verily my judgement begins at the pulpit! And Woe unto those who harm the little ones . If the preist was senior to the young woman ? Then he may have very well brought harm to her by not giving her communion . It might have been a turning point in her out look on religion . However we will never know that oppurunity has passed.

[rightontarget]

Maybe, but also consider that the Bible was written by MAN so what it "states" is man's version and it could be subject to each writer's feelings and/or opinions. Some believe it literally and some do not. Basically I believe God's "word" is for the benefit of man and our understanding but I don't pretend that any "man" can be a legitimate translator. My own belief comes from within and yes I do pray but I do NOT us a "mediator" to do it.

[jimatmadison]

According to the first two paragraphs, Ms Johnson's "most difficult week of her life" "all started" at the funeral with the priest's shameful behavior.

I would guess that from Ms Johnson's perspective, her mother's illness and death were exceptionally difficult, and obviously preceded the funeral.

[jimatmadison]

Does this priest ask every potential communicant whether they are currently living with someone outside of marriage?

Does he check out whether each person who comes before him might have sinned seqzually in the recent past?

Or is he just obsessed with gay seqz?

[FACEITT]

@molly_pitcher..This lady's faith has nothing to do with her lifestyle. Apparently you think you are holier-than-she. So many like you which is why I have never related Christianity to any and all that the Catholic Church stands for. They say one thing for priests and another for their church members. What is the difference in this woman's life style as a homosexual/lesbian and priests who sex little boys, big boys and men? Not one damned difference. Yes, the behavior is damned by GOD but so is lying, stealing, cheating, putting others down, adultery, fornicating. According to my Bible, God does not distinguish between homosexuality and lying or murder. They are all sins as we are all sinners..ALL of us. You might be cheating on your husband but that has nothing to do with your faith, which should only be in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Man cannot get you into heaven so why would you have faith in one?

[FACEITT]

Here's a thought: Perhaps this priest and all priests in the Catholic Church should refrain from giving or receiving communion because I KNOW GOD does not condone molesting/raping children and then lying about it and hiding the guilty priests in other parishes. These "rules" of that church seem to contradict the RULES OF GOD AS WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE. Nowhere in the Bible do you find the nonsense that this cult preaches. The only criteria for receiving communion (according to GOD's WORD, the Bible), is that you believe in Jesus Christ and that he sacrificed himself on Calvary...no other "rule" applies. Catholics made up these rules about abstinence, nuns, without the consent of Jesus Christ, electing themselves "brides" of Christ. Don't you think that if Jesus wanted a bride, HE would have chosen one HIMSELF when HE was on earth? What arrogance. That's right up there with electing saints to reside in GOD's Heaven. That's like these people selecting tenants to live in your house without your permission or consent. ARROGANT. A sure ticket to HELL is being a Catholic. Reason I gave it up in my teens. Didn't believe none of that crap they teach. They are all about earthly rules, regulations, gold, furs, paintings and other riches along with authority over others. Not my cup of tea. This lady shouldn't feel bad. What she does as a lesbian is no worse than what these men do as "straight" child molesters.

[tonyrigatoni]

"and to her mother's memory"
Really?
Your mom won't remember

Get over yourself