Following same-sex ceremony, Michigan man barred from parish ministries
June 18, 2014
Following a backyard same-sex “commitment ceremony,” a Michigan man is no longer permitted serve as a lector, choir member, or parish council member at his parish, according to local media reports.
“Everyone is invited to follow Jesus Christ and is invited to be a part of the Catholic Church,” said Bishop John Doerfler of Marquette. “One of the qualifications for the public ministry within the Catholic Church is willingness to give witness to the Gospel and the Church's teachings. Such ministries include serving at Mass as a lector or cantor. The inability to serve in a ministry does not disqualify a person from being a member of the Church.”
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Further information:
- Catholic parishioner not allowed to minister (Fox UP)
- Marquette parish bans gay man from ministry after commitment ceremony (ABC 10)
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Jun. 19, 2014 6:42 PM ET USA
This guy has essentially excommunicated himself. The Bishop should announce that reinforcement and let him know publicly.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jun. 18, 2014 11:19 AM ET USA
Good for the bishop (and the Church). I wish some attention would be directed against those in Catholic education who don't believe in what the Church teaches - what they do is even more insidious because it subtly affects many of our youth.
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Posted by: dfp3234574 -
Jun. 18, 2014 8:43 AM ET USA
Good response by Bishop Doerfler. Also, this self-centered guy running off to the media is simply proof that he believes the Catholic Church is about "me, me, me" and not about Jesus Christ and his Church.
