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Protests against priest who refused communion to gay “prince”

The Dutch Catholic priest who withheld Communion last week from his town's openly homosexual Carnival “prince” was faced at Mass this Sunday with a protest from homosexual activists. Saying that he feared “sins” and “sacrilege,” the priest chose not to distribute Communion at all, reports Patrick B. Craine, LifeSiteNews.com.

“Communion is a moment of respect and reverence, not an object of protest,” stated Fr. Luc Buyens.

Protesters, led by town council member Dick Boonman and Gay Krant editor Henk Krol, distributed pink triangles with the word “Homo,” to be worn on the chest at Mass. The protest was held at the parish after Fr. Buyens chose to deny Communion to homosexual Gijs Vermeulen, 24, on February 13th.

Vermeulen was the “prince” of the town's annual Carnival, a traditional pre-Lenten celebration. At the customary Carnival Mass, the prince addresses the congregation and then leads them forward in receiving Communion.

But, because Vermeulen had been public about his active homosexuality leading up to the festivities, Fr. Buyens contacted him the week before the Carnival Mass to advise him that he would not be able to receive Communion. The priest offered to give him a blessing, and allowed him to address the congregation. Vermeulen attended the Mass, stating that he did not want to “spoil the party,” but did not go up for a blessing.

In response to this week's protest, Fr. Buyens decided not to distribute Communion at the Mass after consulting his bishop in Den Bosch.

The diocese issued a statement today noting that Mass is not an appropriate venue for protest. They pointed out, further, that homosexual tendencies do not bar a person from receiving Communion, but rather it is the active practice of homosexuality that presents the problem. The diocese asked for respect of the Catholic teaching that practicing homosexuals not receive.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports that Fr. Buyens stated after Mass on Sunday that he would maintain his stance against distributing Communion to open homosexuals.

DutchNews.nl reports that homosexual activists are planning to protest at St. John's Cathedral in Den Bosch next Sunday in order to challenge the bishop.

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TAGS: Netherlands Dutch Catholic priest Communion homosexual Carnival “prince” Gijs Vermeulen Fr. Buyens protests

[02/23/2010]

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