The Father Guarnizo Affair

I want to revisit the Father Guarnizo affair. This was a case in which the Archdiocese of Washington suspended the faculties of Father Marcel Guarnizo after he refused communion to lesbian activist, Barbara Johnson.The immediate reaction of the diocese, seems to have been one of immediate suspension of Father Guarnizo, without due consideration of the facts of the case.

The Archdiocese did not explain the circumstances of the case. Neither, did they chastise Barbara Johnson for receiving communion when she made a point making her manifest grave sin known to a priest, as if she wanted to flaunt it in Father Guarnizo's face. 

Barbara was at a funeral for her mother, and made known, according to Father Guarnizo, that she was a lesbian and that the woman with her was her "partner." Father Guarnizo had a right to be morally offended, as any Christian of good conscience should have been.

Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law states that a person who "obstinately persist[s] in manifest grave sin" is to be refused communion. Alot of commentary from canon lawyers insued, in which they said Father Guarnizo had to be aware of the circumstances of a person's life in order to judge that. I find that funny, because the facts of the case, on the face, are that she was a manifest grave sinner being in a lesbian relationship which is "intrinsically disordered" according to paragraph 2357 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Objectively, Barbara Johnson should have not been admitted to holy communion. Because, objectively, she was a manifest grave sinner. Father Guarnizo had a right to act on this knowledge when it was presented to him. Father Guarnizo later states that he did it based on "one of those relations which impede her access to communion according to Catholic teaching ," which does not help his case. Because it was on the part of Barbara to withhold herself from holy communion.

Objectively, however, Father Guarnizo was correct, regardless of his reason for doing it. Simply based on the facts, Father Guarnizo intuited the refusal of holy communion correctly, but for the wrong reasons. So, based on the facts again, Father Guarnizo should not have been suspended if it was based on his refusal.

The Archdiocese later said that he was suspended for reasons unrelated to this case. This has a giggle factor and is very suspicious given the timing of the announcement. While we do not have all the facts in our possession, the suspension was too suspicious for my taste.

Currently, the case of Father Guarnizo is in my rosary. I ask that all of you place it in yours. If he is innocent, let our Blessed Mother's prayers free him. If Bishop Knestout is guilty, let our Lord chastise him and he repent. If there has been a grave injustice here, let it be repaired and a good priest be returned to his ministry.
If all of this is true, may the Archdiocese of Washington make public restitution and repair his good name.

Here is a canonical defense of Father Guarnizo's actions. Here is a canonical criticism.

Alan Keyes

Alan Keyes is a former presidential candidate. This is where I encountered him first. Later he had a radio show, in which he gave his conservative, Catholic insights. I was always impressed by Alan.  

As a former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, Alan has worked in Washington and can give solid insight on the workings of national politics

His tough stance on pro-life issues, uncompromising loyalty to the Pro-Life movement and fascinating intellect made him a must-listen talk show host for me. Secretary Keyes has not been afraid to put himself on the line for the unborn, as was demonstrated in his arrest at Notre Dame when President Barrack Obama gave the commencement address. Barrack being awarded with an honorary doctorate was the straw that broke the camel's back for me, and former Secretary Keyes was there fighting against it when I could not.

Alan has a sharp intellect that does not let fallacious arguments go. He, like myself at times, is a pit bull for the Lord on matters of faith and values. He has debated atheists, liberal politicians and many others in trying to bring justice to the public square.

Alan would make a great addition to your speaking engagement. Be warned, however, he will not pull punches, and has a direct speaking style. However, the value of his insights are worthy of any Catholic event. (Hint: Get him to speak on Pro-life issues, his tender side will come out.)

To Mr. Keyes, I thank you for your many years of service to Holy Mother Church. Your tireless work for the Lord will never be forgotten by Him. Speak on, Mr. Keyes, speak on!

The Myth of a Thick Skin

No one has a "thick skin." I studied this in Psychology for years. You would not believe the victims of verbal sexual and verbal emotional abuse that counselors treat in their daily work. I have many Psychologist and therapist friends who talk about it daily.

When I hear this term I just shake my head and ignore most of what the person says after that. Speech Communication theory has studied cussing extensively. What is not surprising is that cussing is universally offensive, even to the person doing the cussing. Anyone heard of self-abuse?

Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is often caused by verbal abuse.  Calling someone stupid or an idiot is not something a person can brush off if the person doing the abusing is their family member.  These persons are close to you, they have a deep effect on your life. If you are called dumb as a child these attacks often become "tapes" that replay in the victim's mind over and over again throughout your life, until the tapes are dealt with in a healthy way.

People are sending messages all the time. If someone is sexually abused, the message that is sent is "you are worthless"  and "a sexual object to be used." The abuser does not have to say a thing.  It is communicated by the action of the abuse. If you were worthwhile in their mind, they would not abuse you.

Final Thoughts
Get rid of the "thick skin" analogy, research disproves it. In apologetics and evangelization I often encounter people who cuss or call names. I ask them to stop. If they continue, I cut off communication. When they can calmly talk about a subject, I am with them. When they want to abuse, I am gone.

What happens over time, and many people have told me this. is that they learn to be respectful. It is part of the evangelization. Otherwise, they are gone.

If a evangelee has a different opinion on something, I can deal with that. If another person wants to attack, there is the door. Come back when you are respectful. I can put up with some slips, but intentional attacking is off-limits. Learn to respect yourself and others will begin to respect you.

The LCWR: It's About Time

If you did not know, the Leadership Conference for Religious Women (LCWR) has been dressed down by the Vatican. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) found grave and serious doctrine problems in the LCWR. For those Catholics who know their faith, this is no surprise.

The Root of the Problem
The doctrinal problems are at the root of the LCWR's problems. They are like any of the many theologians who have seperated themselves from the Church by their dissent. The Catholic Faith has one united teaching, not many.  Her dogma does not change, however the LCWR seems to think it does.

As the Congregration for the Doctrine of the Faith says:

The Cardinal noted a prevalence of certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith in some of the programs and presentations sponsored by the LCWR, including theological interpretations that risk distorting faith in Jesus and his loving Father who sent his Son for the salvation of the world.

The LCWR also dissents against the Vatican, a remarkable hubris. We are all dependent on the guidance of the Magisterium, men and women alike. This is not a gender thing, it is an authority issue. The Protestants headed down this road, and look where it got them; dissent, heresy, schism and dissolution:

The Cardinal spoke of this issue in reference to letters the CDF received from “Leadership Teams” of various Congregations, among them LCWR Officers, protesting the Holy See’s actions regarding the question of women’s ordination and of a correct pastoral approach to ministry to homosexual persons, e.g. letters about New Ways Ministry’s conferences.

Even Jesus does not find reverence in this organization. They think they can move beyond the infinite God and Man:

The Cardinal offered as an example specific passages of Sr. Laurie Brink’s address about some Religious “moving beyond the Church” or even beyond Jesus.

We are all subject to error. We all need the voice of Christ through his apostolic teachers (Luke 10:16). Thank God for the guidance of the Church and its compassion that is drawing his flock back to himself.

Devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus

One of my favorite devotions is to the Holy Face of Christ. This devotion was started long ago with several holy persons and Saints devoted to it. Saint Therese of Lisieux (of the Holy Face), Sister Marie of St Peter,  Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli, St. Gertrude, St. Mechtilde, and St. Veronica are all major proponents of this devotion. 

There is an Association dedicated to the devotion. Adoration of the Holy Face takes several forms.

The Sacred Image of the Shroud of Turin
This Remarkable image has so much depth to it. How someone could have manufactured this image with 14th Century technology is constantly questioned. Many persons believe that it is truly Jesus image, created at his Resurrection. Many Holy face images from the shroud of Turin are all over the Internet. How can a person look at this image and not imagine what Jesus, the Faultless One, went through to save mankind?

Eucharistic Adoration
By adoring the Holy Face in the Eucharist, many promises have been given by Our Lord, including: "I will grant them contrition so perfect that their very sins will be turned into jewels of precious gold." I can speak from experience to say that it is a beautiful experience to have perfect contrition. There are several live Eucharistic Adoration websites as well.

The several promises for devotion to the Holy Face are found all over the Internet, including those approved by Pope Pius XII. This is a venerable traditional devotion that seems lost to many in the Catholic Church in these days.

Remember Our Lord through this devotion. Remember his suffering that was endured to save you from your sins. Remember, His gaze is always upon you calling you back to Him. Become more his image in devotion to the Holy Face.

The North Carolina Marriage Amendment

What a great day this is. With all the States passing homosexual marriage laws or civil unions, we have a State that stands for what is right!

For those of you who do not know, North Carolina passed a Marriage Amendment to the State Constitution. The reason they did it is because the Courts can override a law, or declare it unconstitutional. However, when the Constitution has a definition of marriage, there is nothing the Courts can do.

The proponents of the Amendment said it would last twenty years.  However, that is twenty years to turn around peoples attitudes and make some good Catholic Converts. It is time for the Holy Spirit to saturate souls and make saints to convert hardened souls.

The Problem
Urban areas are often more heterodox in their beliefs. They are exposed to many alternatives lifestyles and come to normalize such lifestyles as merely alternative and not immoral. This is the "go along, to get along" attitude. It is totally contrary to moral law and the examples of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist.  We have to speak up "whether convenient or inconvenient" (2 Tim 4:6).

Certainly, there are appropriate times to speak about the revered truths of God. It is not always the time to preach with fire. However, a gentle and continual reinforcement is always appropriate. Sometimes confrontational and mostly teaching, reminding and reinforcing.

Marriage
Marriage is a sacred Covenant between a man and a woman. Marriage has a fruit, which is children. homosexual marriage, starkly speaking, has no fruit. This points to the design of marriage by God, to bring about a good for Society --- which is children and the love of the couple.

Are Those Who Deny Lesbians Communion Now Wrong?

In case you did not know, Father Marcel Garnizo, of the Archdiocese of Washington, denied holy communion to a woman who was cohabitating with another woman. Since lesbianism is grave sin, she was to be denied communion according to Canon Law:

Can.  915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

A complaint was lodged against Father Garnizo, which was addressed by Most Rev. Barry Knestout, who threw Father Garnizo under the bus. A complaint that it was at a funeral, which does not change the standard, was lodged by the prospective communicant. The bishop, Most Rev. Barry Knestout, seems to have erred in this matter, embarrassing Father Garnizo. I think Father Garnizo should appeal this decision to the Congregation for the Clergy, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Holy Father himself if need be.

A Disturbing Trend
The bishops seemed to have a habit of throwing priests overboard.  With the new norms for clergy abuse, priests have found themselves being left by their bishops to the sharks. Several innocent priests have died due to the stress of trial after trial, even though some have been found innocent. The pendulum has swung too far.

Father Garnizo acted appropriately given a lesbian was presenting herself to communion. Perhaps the bishops should think about their faithful, instead of abandoning them to pander to a manifest grave sinner.

A Proper Balance
Much of this article was written to swing the pendulum back. Throwing priests under the bus is not the standard, neither is siding with them at all times and in all matters. Rather, a due consideration of both the rights of priests and of the faithful. It is a not an either/or situation, but rather a both/and. Both the needs of the accused and of the accuser need to be considered, not an all or nothing approach which fears the possible fall-out of civil authorities:

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).