Catholic Exchange

Wyoming Priest Denies Communion to Lesbian Activist Couple

Written by

Peter J. Smith

in

An activist lesbian couple "married" in Canada may no longer receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, after having been told by their pastor that their homosexual behavior and advocacy of same-sex unions prevent them from being Catholics in good standing.

The News-Record, a Gillette newspaper, reports that Fr. Cliff Jacobson, pastor of St. Mathew's Catholic Church, informed Leah Vader and Lynne Huskinson by letter that "because of your union and your public advocacy of same-sex unions, that you are unable to receive communion."

Fr. Jacobson told the News-Record that Vader and Huskinson's public advocacy of same-sex "marriage" created a public scandal mandating the Church to take action with support from the Cheyenne Diocese. Vader and Huskinson, who attended St. Matthew's since 1998 and later were "married" in Canada, wrote a number of newspaper articles advocating same-sex "marriage" and vociferously opposed a marriage bill that would prevent Wyoming from recognizing same-sex "marriages" from other states, such as their own.

"We're not the bedroom police," said Fr. Jacobson. "That ultimately comes between the person and God, but it puts it in a much different light with a public nature."

"It's the idea of scandal, we profess our faith and belief as Catholics on one level, and practice something else at a public level."

The letter shocked Vader, who described herself as having "grown up" in the Catholic Church, attended Catholic school, and received Holy Communion every week until forbidden by Fr. Jacobson's March 1 letter.

"This is the one food we all need," Vader told the News-Record. "Of all the sacraments, it's the one that should be taken frequently."

"It's surprising that it's so specific and personal and being done through this letter," Vader remarked, adding that the Church's action "sends a big fat message to gay people."

However, reception of Holy Communion is not a right in the Church, and the confusion created by the lesbian couple's self-proclaimed behavior required Fr. Jacobson to enforce Canon Law 915: "Those […] who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."

According to the Catholic Church, same-sex "marriage" is impossible, because Divine law decrees marriage to be a permanent exclusive union of a man and a woman for their mutual assistance and the procreation of children. The Church also teaches homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and contravene God's plan for human sexuality in marriage.

 

Click here to read the article in the News-Record of Gilette, Wyoming.

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Priest of God, be holy.

    Priest of God, be courageous.

    Priest of God, remember Acts 5:29, when Peter says "We must obey God rather than men."

    My prayer is that all holy men and women obey God rather than man, that through their example many souls may be converted and won for Christ, to live into eternity with God.

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Wow, I imagine it took much courage to write that letter. I am always surprised that people who know the Church's teaching, know they're violating it, know the Church has not changed and will not change, yet they stay in the Church. Why? I pray that all those who wish the Church to "come around" to their viewpoint, instead will be given the wisdom to hear the Truth.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I loved the quote "Vader remarked, adding that the Church's action 'sends a big fat message to gay people'." When I read that, my first thought was, yes, the Church is sending a big fat message to gay people. That message: STOP SINNING, NITWITS!

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    God through His Word-Jesus said very clearly what the deal is: No Compromise

    Leviticus 18 

    22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, because it is an abomination.

    23 Thou shalt not copulate with any beast, neither shalt thou be defiled with it. A woman shall not lie down to a beast, nor copulate with it: because it is a heinous crime.

    24 Defile not yourselves with any of these things with which all the nations have been defiled, which I will cast out before you,

    25 And with which the land is defiled: the abominations of which I will visit, that it may vomit out its inhabitants.

    Well the hole world is in this so, Guess what?  No change, the whole world is vomited out!

    Run to the ARK!  THE VIRGIN!  Noah, are you ready?

    That pretty much says it "all" about this and other serious abominations.

  5. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I was so happy to read this article. Too often we read of clergy NOT wanting to teach the true faith. Catholics are often bashed for not allowing others to 'communion' or not reading the Bible. Here's one out of 1 Corinthians 11:27 for you…

    Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

    Examine – how do we do this, we must examine our behavior through the eyes of the Catholic Church. If we are in 'communion' with the church of Christ, then we do not profane. Communion means we believe and desire to live the way, the truth and the life together as a community.

    We must not water down our faith. It is beautiful and perfect as it is. If we would only spend more time reading the Bible, reading the CCC, reading the writings of the Pope, our hearts would truly burn…..

  6. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    May God Bless him with continued strength against the evil spirits who seek to destroy him.

  7. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I, too, was happy to read this article. The pastor did the right thing and what he is obligated to do. Modern society has brainwashed a lot of people to think homosexuality is normal. Especially teens and college students are deceived by the secular lie which is continually broadcasting over the networks. I'd say almost every night one can find a pro-gay message on a tv show or cable channel. It is no wonder that there are people who go to church and think it's okay. I guess we need more education in the parishes to show people attending that they cannot be practicing the homosexual lifestyle. It shouldn't just be extremists who are public about their gay behaviors but should also be able to reach those who are more discreet but wherein other parish members know of what their neighbors are doing. It's the spiritual duty of all Christians to inform someone they know to be doing something morally wrong to stop, especially if they are receiving in sin.

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