The Vatican have confirmed that a leading priest has been relieved of his duties after he came out as a homosexual and urged the Catholic Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
The priest in question Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa has caused worldwide controversy after his earlier interview was published in a well known newspaper Corriere della Sera. Monsignor Charamsa was then subsequently dismissed from his position at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s doctrinal arm. In the highly publicised interve Mr Charamsa from Polish origin, openly announced he was a homosexual and that he had lover for a number of years. Mr Charamsa later held a news conference with his partner, publicly declaring their relationship in protest of the Vatican’s current stance on same-sex relationships.
Meanwhile the Vatican have released brief statement regarding Mr Charamsa’s dismissal saying his dismissal had nothing to do with his comments on his personal situation, which it said “merit respect”. Although they said giving the interview and the planned demonstration was “grave and irresponsible” given their timing on the eve of a synod of bishops who will discuss family issues, including how to reach out to gays.