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.
