Maryland Priest Denies Communion to Lesbian: Archdiocese Apologizes

A footnote to my posting two days ago about Father Marcel Guarnizo's denial of communion to Barbara Johnson at her mother's funeral last weekend: as the Washington Post reported yesterday, the archdiocese of Washington has apologized to Ms. Johnson.  Here's what the archdiocese has said, with my commentary on the apology, from a conversation thread at America magazine's "In All Things" blog:

Amy Ho-Ohn writes, 

"Everything that has been reported about the incident is gossip and hearsay. The truth is known only to the participants. The secular media are drooling in joyful anticipation of a feeding frenzy."

I'm confused. 

The Washington Post is reporting today that the Archdiocese of Washington has apologized to Ms. Johnson for the indignity and pain inflicted on her at her mother's funeral.

The same source cites Most Rev. Barry Knestout, auxiliary bishop and vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Washington, to say, "In my years as a priest, I have encountered many pastoral situations and know that kindness to those experiencing personal loss is a necessary part of the church’s call to charity. The fact that you did not experience this is a cause of great concern and personal regret to me." 

And so I'm confused: does Ms. Ho-Ohn think the officials of the Archdiocese of Washington are dabbling in "gossip and hearsay"? 

And if officials of the Archdiocese of Washington have weighed in with the statements cited above, why is Ms. Ho-Ohn speaking of a "feeding frenzy" by the secular media? 

The comments of Washington archdiocesan officials suggest to me that the question of the secular media's involvement is a red herring here, and that it's also disingenuous to speak of gossip and hearsay when archdiocesan officials are making statements that verify media reports and Ms. Johnson's own testimony, along with that of other eyewitnesses. 

The comments of Washington archdiocesan officials suggest to me that we Catholics have every reason in the world to be concerned about whether charity and pastoral sensitivity predominate at our liturgical celebrations. 

Always.  In every place.  In every time frame throughout history. 

Because how do we remember Jesus in any effective way otherwise?  

Love, justice, and mercy are what Jesus was about, and what we have to be about if we remember him meaningfully.  Not shoving people from the table and inflicting indignity on them at a mother's funeral. 

And not defending or excusing such behavior, while we call ourselves exemplary Catholics.