Priest Refuses Communion To Married Gay Man Attending His Mother's Funeral
A Louisiana man refused communion by a Catholic priest says he believes it’s because he was listed in his mother’s obituary as being married to another man.
Father Mark Beard (photo above) from St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite, Louisiana, refused communion to a gay man at his own mother's funeral mass, Friday July 10.
Tim Ardillo, who was once an alter boy at St. Helena's, was in line with his young son, both of them standing next to his mother's casket, when Father Beard informed him he was withholding communion because Tim had married outside the church. Tim said he felt sure it was because he was listed in his mother’s obituary as being married to another man.
Tim told reporters that the Sunday following the funeral St. Helena's passed out a flyer to everyone attending mass, with a quotation from the Book of Corinthians with these lines highlighted in red ink:
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that the Diocese of Baton Rouge, which oversees St. Helena's has apologized to Tim for Father Beard's actions. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond (photo right) is also said to have offered his personal apology.
Father Beard has not responded to requests for a comment.
Tim Ardillo, who was once an alter boy at St. Helena's, was in line with his young son, both of them standing next to his mother's casket, when Father Beard informed him he was withholding communion because Tim had married outside the church. Tim said he felt sure it was because he was listed in his mother’s obituary as being married to another man.
Tim told reporters that the Sunday following the funeral St. Helena's passed out a flyer to everyone attending mass, with a quotation from the Book of Corinthians with these lines highlighted in red ink:
"Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks in judgment of himself."
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports that the Diocese of Baton Rouge, which oversees St. Helena's has apologized to Tim for Father Beard's actions. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond (photo right) is also said to have offered his personal apology. Father Beard has not responded to requests for a comment.
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