Vatican fires newly out gay priest

The Vatican has sacked a loyal Polish priest after he came out as gay.

Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa, who called for Catholics to change the way they talk about homosexuality, also taught theology at pontifical universities in Rome – which have also dismissed him.

The Vatican has since insisted that the firing is not because Charamsa is gay, but because he gave interviews about it and planned a demonstration alongside gay activists; acts which they called “grave and irresponsible” given that bishops were due to discuss family issues just the next day.

“This decision of mine to come out was a very personal one taken in a Catholic Church that is homophobic and very difficult and harsh (towards gays),” he had said (via Reuters).

“I ask the Pope to be strong and to remember us, homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals and bisexuals as children of the Church and members of humanity.”

Being homosexual is not itself a sin, but engaging in homosexual activity is. So given that all priests take vows of celibacy, it would certainly be odd if Charamsa’s sexuality alone was the reason for him being dismissed.

The Vatican is already at the centre of a big dialogue on LGBTs amid conflicting reports on the Pope’s meeting with anti-gay clerk Kim Davis, and also with an old gay friend and his partner.