re: Gay man denied communion in Amite church

When we have the Lords supper our pastor explains who may partake in good faith. Before we pass out the bread and cup you are given time to pray for forgiveness of any sin in your life. Non belivers are asked not to recieve the communion. Anyone who takes communion outside the churches teachings can take that up with God later.

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For my fellow Catholics ITT, what do you think of the Dicoeses reaction to this? What are they apologizing for? Sends a mixed message, to say the least.

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I can see both sides. The Church really is trying to be as welcoming as they can be.

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We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, y no habla ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying newborns, skinny as a rail, or could afford to lose a few pounds. We welcome you if you sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re just browsing, just woke up, or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s baptism. We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems, or you’re down in the dumps, or you don’t like “organized religion;” we’ve been there too. If you blew all your offering money at the casino, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, who work hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or come because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid, or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, doubters, bleeding hearts . . . and you!

Fr. Than Vu July 2012

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apparently he was confused on the Catholic Churches stance on this, or at least wasn't aware of it

he wanted to have an "intimate experience" with his mother one last time

I don't see that as "showcasing his gayness"

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There is no way he didn't know that his actions are out of line with Church teaching and grounds for not receiving. It's just not feasible.

If he wanted Communion for the stated reason, it shows he doesn't understand it. Either way, it's not up to the Church to make it whatever he wanted it to be. It is what it is.

by "showcasing it", I meant that I don't believe his intentions were pure. He was either going to receive (which would have been a gotcha to the Church, since he knew that the Priest knew about his living situation) or he was going to make a scene.

Fr. Vu died earlier this year of cancer. I've never seen the write up you posted but I love it

The strange thing about the whole ordeal is that this guy cares more about his hissy fit than the respect he should be showing for his deceased mother. I'm sure this storming out the church and going to the media has taken away from a time where the family should be paying their respects to his mother.

A lot of people in this thread apparently want it receive communion from a Church they hate.

Hilarious.

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This is exactly what happened.

Which is appropriate.

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The spokesperson said something along the lines of "we don't deny people Communion", which sounds like an admission of wrongdoing.

My understanding is that Mr Ardillo was denied communion because he was married outside of the Catholic church, not because he was gay. As would be expected, his spouse's name was listed in his mother's obituary. The Catholic Church doesn't perform same sex marriages, therefore, we know Ardillo was married outside the church. IMO, Fr. Beard could have clarified the church's stance on outside marriages w/ Mr Ardillo before the services began, but I don't think he was unreasonable to assume that Ardillo was already aware of the rules.

I don't know this priest from Adam, but the whole situation is bullshite. What was more disrespectful or disruptive to the funeral service:
Ardillo being denied communion or him grabbing his husband's hand and storming out of church?

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He could simply have abstained from communion, as many do. And he could have accepted the blessing without running out to call the media.

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Never let a chance to push your agenda ...even if it's your Mom's funeral.