On Saturday, the Vatican fired a gay monsignor after coming out the day before international bishops were set to meet to discuss the church’s outreach to gays, divorcees, and traditional families.
Krzysztof Charamsa, a mid-level Catholic official, disclosed he is homosexual during newspaper interviews in Italy and Poland and said he was happy and proud to be gay. He also noted that he was in love with his partner.
The Vatican fired Charamsa in response, saying that he was irresponsible in making the issue public immediately before the scheduled international conference. “The decision to make such a pointed statement on the eve of the opening of the synod appears very serious and irresponsible, since it aims to subject the synod assembly to undue media pressure,” said Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesperson.
Charamsa remains a priest, but he is banned from working at the Vatican or its pontifical universities. There is speculation that higher Vatican officials could take further action against Charamsa. The incident indicates that the Catholic Church is still very much against homosexuality.
“I came out. This is a very personal, difficult and tough decision in the Catholic Church’s homophobic world,” said Charamsa.
This incident will surely put pressure on Pope Francis to address the church’s relationship with the LGBT community. He’s been inclusive of everybody, regardless of religion or class, and he should embrace LGBT people too.
For more on this story, visit CBS News “Vatican fires priest after he announces he’s gay”
