Debate over refusal of communion and religious autonomy rights
Rubén García de Andrés, mayor of Torrecaballeros, was denied communion by a local priest because of his homosexuality, which he denounced as homophobic. His political party is demanding an apology and threatening legal action. The Diocese of Segovia defended the priest, citing Canon 915, which allows for the denial of communion on moral grounds, and denied any accusations of homophobia. The case raised concerns about the involvement of secular groups in church affairs, which is seen as a potential threat to religious freedom.
Rubén García de Andrés, the mayor of Torrecaballeros (Segovia), has stated that he was denied communion by a local priest on the grounds of his openly known homosexual practices. Despite the Church's well-known teaching on sexual morals and the fact that there is no right to receive communion, the mayor denounced what he sees as the homophobia of the Church of Segovia and of the local priest.
The Christian Socialist Federal Group of Spain and the PSOE party have condemned the situation, calling for an immediate correction and an apology from the diocese, the priest and, in the case of closed-mindedness, the Spanish Bishops' Conference. However, the diocese defended the Segovia priest, saying that 'the Church can refuse communion if certain moral conditions are not met'. This is explicitly stated in the Code of Canon Law (Canon 915) and further elaborated by Pope Francis in the 'Fiducia Suplicans'. The Segovian also rejected accusations of homophobia, stating that the priest's decision was in line with Catholic Church canons that apply to any couple "living together outside wedlock", including heterosexual couples.. Despite expressing a desire to avoid legal action, the party admits the possibility of pursuing a hate crime charge.
The right to religious autonomy gives religious communities the right to decide on internal procedures without state interference. In light of this, the involvement of a secular organisation (such as the PSOE) in canon law or in pressuring the diocese to remove the local priest from Torrecaballeros is seen by some as a threat to religious freedom rights.
Source: religiondigital.org, The Telegraph, premierchristian.news
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