Fr marcel guarnizo biography of michael

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Mar 13, 2012

Catholic Culture readers are understandably concerned about the status of Father Marcel Guarnizo, the priest who has been placed on administrative leave by the Washington archdiocese after he denied Communion to a lesbian woman.

While I fully share that concern, I submit that it’s important—before we begin making judgments—to recognize a very important consideration: We don’t have all the facts. Here’s what we do know:

• Barbara Johnson reports that she was refused Communion at her mother’s funeral.
• Johnson should not have presented herself for Communion, because she is an avowed lesbian.
• Bishop Barry Knestout, the vicar general of the Washington archdiocese, announced that Father Guarnizo has been placed on leave, explaining that he took the step because he had “received cre