Church Refuses Communion to Lesbian Couple
Leah Vadar and Lynn Huskinson of Gillette Wyoming were married last August in Canada where gay marriages are legal. They were recently sent a letter by Wyoming Legislator informing them that their marriage would recognized in the eyes of the state.
Soon after the letter arrived the couple was interviewed by a local newspaper and the day just happened to be Ash Wednesday which meant that for the two church-going women, they had ash marks on their forehead. Their pictures were published along with their story which was seen my members and congregation of their church.
As a result of the interview and photos, the couple received a notice from their parish stating that they would not be allowed to participate in communion services any longer.
The priest at their church has reportedly said that if news hadn't got out about them being a lesbian couple the public wouldn't have known and the church would not have had an issue with them as members. He claimed that committing the sin was one thing but acknowledging it as a Roman Catholic Church was another thing. Before it was so out in the open a "don't ask, don't tell" sort of policy was taken. Once the information is available to all, it seems the church has no choice but to take a public stance.
In the past those who are considered "sinners" in the eyes of the church have been privately asked to not accept communion anymore. This seems to be a first instance where a gay or lesbian couple was singled out and given a written notice that they were no longer allowed to participate in the religious ceremony.
The couple is now torn on how to feel and what to do as they have a strong connection and commitment to their church but of course love one another and believe in their marriage which is not a sin in their mind. Since receiving the letter in the mail, the couple has not been back to St. Matthew's church. They have said they do not wish to cause a scene and want to show respect for the churches decision.
Last year Catholic churches approved new guidelines including the acceptance of gay and lesbians as member of their church. Bishops were informed to welcome them but at the same time preach to them about celibacy as their sexual actions are what make them sinners.
Other sins in the eyes of the Catholic Church are sex before marriage and the use of artificial birth control yet many members do both of these and are not asked to refrain from communion. What seems to have set the Wyoming couple apart from other's who don't follow the rules of Roman Catholic's is that their information went public.
Sources:
Kathleen Miller. "Lesbian Couple in Wyo. denied Communion" AP.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-lesbians-communion,0,2447240.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
Published by Katherine M.
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2 Comments
Post a CommentThe refusal would be due to the churches for the first time paying attention to scriptuore that say that Homosexuality is wrong. I do not believe this to be a new idea.
Very interesting article, very sad though.