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Catholic Priest to Withhold Communion from Pro Gay “Marriage” Politician

COBALT, Ontario, March 3, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Catholic priest said he would deny Communion to his parishioner – Catholic NDP Member of Parliament for Timmins-James Bay, Charles Angus – because of his support for same-sex “marriage” legislation.

Pastor of Angus’s St. Patrick’s parish in Cobalt, Fr. John Lemire, told LifeSiteNews.com Thursday that Angus’s position became public on January 19, after the Northern News published a story stating the MPs position. Fr. Lemire sent a private letter the following day to Angus, expressing his “shock and disappointment,” and reminding him of his “duty as a Catholic to uphold the teachings of the Church.”

“I explained in the letter that he was scandalizing members of our faith community,” Fr. Lemire explained. “I asked him to reconsider his position” on the issue. Fr. Lemire explained that, after Mass the following weekend, Angus told him he would be back in the riding in a couple of weeks, and would arrange a meeting then. Fr. Lemire never heard back from him, he said.

Later, February 16, while an NDP member was addressing the issue of same-sex “marriage” in parliament, Fr. Lemire said he happened to be watching the parliamentary channel, and noticed all NDP members responding to the speech with a standing ovation. “I called Charlie and left a message on his cell phone to express how deeply shocked and dismayed I was for his public support of same-sex ‘marriage,’” Fr. Lemire said. The next day, Angus returned the call, at which time Fr. Lemire explained to him “his position was inconsistent with the teachings of the Church,” and that his continued support for the legislation meant “there would be consequences.”

Angus asked if he would be unwelcome at church, to which Fr. Lemire responded that whether “saints or sinners,” everyone is welcome, but that his position would mean he is “outside of communion with the Church.” Fr, Lemire told Angus he would be denied communion if he persisted in his position, and voted in favour of the legislation. Fr. Lemire said he would not deny Angus communion until his vote is cast, and then only after telling him by registered letter, that he would be denied Communion if he presents himself.

Fr. Lemire said that all communication with Angus prior to a call from the Timmins news February 19 was private, and that Angus contacted the press. Fr. Lemire said there has been considerable support from the parish and abroad. Fr. Lemire explained that as Angus’s pastor, he has two responsibilities: Angus’s salvation; and the salvation of his other parishioners. Fr. Lemire said he could not allow Angus to continue to scandalize other Catholics.

Local Bishop Paul Marchand joined members of Campaign Life Coalition in February to protest outside Angus’s riding office. Father John Lemire is also the Diocesan Coordinator for a campaign against the redefinition of marriage.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Catholic Bishop Joins Protest Demonstration Outside Pro-Gay ‘Marriage’ Politicians Office
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/feb/05020903.html

See related local coverage:
Timmins citizens torn over legal definition of civil marriage
http://www.timminstimes.com/story.php?id=142749

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