A suspended Maryland priest has defended his decision to deny a lesbian communion during her mother's funeral last month.
Father Marcel Guarnizo released a statement to CNSNews.com, breaking his silence for the first time since the Feb. 25 at a Gaithersburg church.
"I am confident that my own view," he said, "that I did the only thing a faithful Catholic priest could do in such an awkward situation, quietly, with no intention to hurt or embarrass, will be upheld."
Guarnizo was suspended after he denied the sacrament of communion to Barbara Johnson, who was accompanied by her partner for the funeral of her mother, Loretta. Guarnizo said Johnson introduced the woman as her lover, something Johnson denies.
"I never introduced him to my partner," she said. "I was a woman grieving the loss of her mother. I did not bring this on anyone. I have never been denied communion in my life."
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Market Analysis
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.