Two homosexual men married according to Spanish civil law have denounced a priest of the Archdiocese of Seville who had refused to give them communion or a blessing during the celebration of a Eucharist on May 25.
The priest reported is Father Francisco José López Martínez, ordained in June 2020 and assigned as parish priest of the Church of the Divine Savior in the town of Dos Hermanas, where the events occurred.
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The statement from Andalucía Diversidad, the Andalusian LGBT Federation, in their social networks, “the parish priest Francisco José López Martínez refused to give them both communion because they were married to each other” during the Eucharistic celebration held at the Sacramental Brotherhood of the Vera Cruz. It is also stated that “denying the homosexual couple to receive the priest’s blessing is a clearly discriminatory and unfair gesture.”
ACI Prensa has tried to contrast whether the priest denied communion, a blessing or both, given the confusing wording of the statement. From Colegas Torremolinos, an entity attached to Andalucía Diversidad that has prepared the text, they tell ACI Prensa that the text distributed was based on the complaint filed with the National Police.
Consulted by ACI Prensa, the Archbishopric of Seville, for its part, has not offered a version of the reported events, leaving it unclear whether communion, a blessing or both was denied, or what the pastoral, canonical or magisterial reasons were taken. taken into account by the priest on that occasion.
According to the Andalucía Diversidad statement, the two homosexual men “know all the parish priests in the area and have always had a good relationship, this being the first time they have faced rejection of this type.”
On the other hand, it states that the complaint alleges “a case of possible discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Church.”
“A person’s sexual orientation should not interfere with their relationship with God or the way they are treated by the religious community. “We urge the parish priest to reflect on his actions and apologize for the pain and marginalization he has caused the couple,” the text adds.
Can a priest deny the Eucharist?
The Code of Canon Law establishes that “every baptized person who is not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to Holy Communion” as a general principle (canon 912).
He canon 915 He adds that “those who have been excommunicated and those who are in question after the imposition or declaration of the penalty, and those who obstinately persist in a manifest grave sin, should not be admitted to Holy Communion.”
Regarding those who are aware of having incurred a serious sin, Canon Law indicates that “they should not celebrate Mass or receive communion from the Body of the Lord without first attending sacramental confession, unless there is a serious reason and there is no opportunity to confess.” (canon 916). This requires an act of perfect contrition that includes confessing as soon as possible.
Requirements for the blessing of people in an irregular situation
On December 18, 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) published the Declaration Begging for confidence on the pastoral meaning of blessings which indicates that priests can bless people in an irregular situation such as homosexual couples.
On January 4, given the controversy raised by the text that produced multiple statements from bishops and episcopal conferences providing different visions on its content, application and doctrinal quality, the DDF published a Note on the reception of Confidence supplicans in which it established some requirements.
According to this explanatory note, pastoral blessings to people in an irregular situation must be “very brief”, that is, carried out in “a few seconds, without Ritual or Blessing” and in them they must ask the Lord for “peace, health and other goods.” ” and that the people who receive the blessing “can live in full fidelity to the Gospel of Christ” and that the Holy Spirit frees them “from everything that needs purification.”
On the other hand, it is noted that this type of blessing “is not intended to justify something that is not morally acceptable” and it is not “a marriage, but it is not even an ‘approval’ or a ratification of anything.”
It is also noted that, in order to avoid confusion with the sacrament of Marriage or civil ceremonies of this type, clothing that could induce that idea should not be worn, and the blessing “should not be carried out in a prominent place in the temple or in front of the church.” to the altar, because this would also create confusion.”
Nicholas de Cardenas
Born in 1980, I am a Spanish husband and father and journalist with more than 20 years of experience in print and digital media, specializing in sociopolitical and religious information. I have worked for more than 10 years in defense of human rights and have accreditations in Journalism and Comprehensive Communication. Since July 2022, I have been a correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN Noticias in Spain, covering international events of the Catholic Church.