Illinois bishop issues decree barring communion, funeral rites for same-sex couples

The bishop in Illinois has issued a decree barring couples in same-sex marriages from receiving Holy Communion or funeral rites.

In the decree, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield called on priests in the diocese to enforce the church's ban on same-sex marriage.

The bishop instructed priests not to offer communion or funerals or last rites for people in same-sex unions unless they repent. He also said that people in same-sex relationships are not allowed to serve in a "public liturgical ministry."

"Pastors aware of such situations should address these concerns privately with the persons in such circumstances, calling them to conversion and advising them not to present themselves for Holy Communion until they have been restored to communion with the Church through the Sacrament of Reconciliation," the bishop stated, as reported by The Blaze.

The bishop declared that a person living publicly in a same-sex marriage who is "in danger of death" may be given Holy Communion "if he or she expresses repentance for his or her sins."

The decree further stated that children of homosexual parents may still be baptized, go through the process of Confirmation, and attend Catholic schools.

Paprocki explained in his decree that it is his duty to "guide the people of God entrusted to me with charity but without compromising the truth."

The Chicago Tribune noted that Paprocki issued the decree four years after same-sex marriage has been legal in Illinois and two years after it became legal nationwide.

The bishop's decree has been met with criticism from some LGBT activist groups.

The LGBT Catholic group known as DignityUSA said that the document was "mean-spirited and hurtful in the extreme."

"It systematically and disdainfully disparages us and our relationships." the group's incoming president, Christopher Pett, said in a statement.

Pett further noted that Pope Francis himself has not issued such a decree for the Catholic Church and that he called for more pastoral and respectful approach towards LGBTQ people.

The pope has previously affirmed that same-sex relationships fall outside of the biblical definition of marriage, but he has called on the Catholic Church to be more accepting of gays and lesbians.

Michael Sean Winters, a columnist at the independent newspaper National Catholic Reporter, expressed his objection to the denial of funeral rites to people in same-sex marriages.

"The only time I can remember someone being denied a funeral were mafia bosses, when they were shooting at each other," he said.

Paprocki gained media attention in his opposition to same-sex marriage when he held an exorcism rite in 2013 in protest to the legalization of gay marriage in Illinois.

In a statement, the bishop defended the decree as necessary "in light of changes in the law and in our culture regarding these issues."