Vatican, Polish Bishop Respond Quickly After Priest “Comes Out” as Gay

Vatican, Polish Bishop Respond Quickly After Priest “Comes Out” as Gay October 3, 2015

You probably saw the news today:  A Polish priest serving as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome came out as gay. More than that, Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa expressed happiness and pride at being a “gay priest,” and reported that he has a boyfriend with whom he enjoys a close relationship.

Father Charamsa, who has lived in Rome for 17 years, also serves as assistant secretary of the International Theological Commission and teaches theology at two of Rome’s Pontifical universities, the Gregorian and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.

The priest, with his boyfriend at his side, held a press conference today, on the eve of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, in order to pressure the Synod Fathers to revisit the Church’s longstanding teaching with regard to the immorality of homosexual unions.  “My decision of ‘coming out,'” he said,“is a very personal decision in the homophobic world of the Catholic Church.” He noted that “every homosexual person is a son of God” (which is true), but then added that “This [the homosexual lifestyle] is the will of God for our life” (which is not true).

A QUICK RESPONSE FROM THE VATICAN

As soon as news of the priest’s homosexual “coming out” announcement came to light, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi issued a statement. The Vatican statement said:

“Regarding the statements and interviews released by Msgr. Kryzstof Charamsa, it must be considered — notwithstanding the respect warranted to the events and personal situations and reflections on the issue — the choice to make such a pointed statement on the vigil of the Synod’s opening seems very serious and irresponsible, since it seeks to impose on the Synodal assembly undue media pressure.”

Certainly, Msgr. Charamsa will not be able to continue performing his previous duties at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical Universities, whereas other aspects of his situation are under the competence of his diocesan ordinary.”

Father Charamsa was immediately fired from his position at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was also immediately removed from his teaching responsibilities at the Pontifical Universities.

POLISH BISHOP RESPONDS, AS WELL

And now, the Bishop of Pelplin, located in the ecclesiastical province of Gdańsk, has issued a statement. Through his spokesperson Fr. Ireneusz Smaglinski, the bishop issued a canonical admonition, the first step toward suspension of Fr. Charasma’s priestly faculties. If the priest does not renounce his earlier statement, we can expect that he will be removed from priestly ministry.

The statement which was released this afternoon in Poland reads:

Statement on Father Krzysztof Charamsa:

In connection with the communique issued by the Holy See Press Office concerning the declaration of Fr. Krzysztof Charamsa and his statements to the media contrary to the Scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church, whereas according to the norms of the Code of Canon Law, Fr. Krzysztof Charamsa has been admonished by the Reverend Bishop of Pelplin to return to the way of Christ’s priesthood.
 
At the same time the Bishop of Pelplin asks all priests and the faithful to pray for this intention.
Signed, 

Fr. Ireneusz Smagliński, spokesman for the Bishop of Pelpli
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The rapid response of both the Vatican and the diocesan bishop point to a fact which has been all but disregarded in mainstream media, as pundits speculate regarding the likely result of the Synod. That fact is this:
The Church is the visible body of Christ on earth. Its timeless teachings do not change, but are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 
As the Synod Fathers begin their work, pray for them. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide them toward all truth. But really, have faith, resting in the confidence that God is in control. 

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