Less than a month after Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa of Poland was fired from his job at the Vatican immediately after coming out, the high-ranking priest has now been defrocked for continuing "to break rules governing the behaviour of Catholic priests."
Charamsa worked in the Holy See's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, an office created to "spread sound Catholic doctrine and defend those points of Christian tradition which seem in danger because of new and unacceptable doctrines." Former Pope Benedict XVI led the congregation until his election as Pope.
The priest not only came out in an interview with an Italian newspaper, he announced he is in a relationship with another man. Polish Bishop Ryszard Kasyna said in a statement that Charamsa was defrocked for ignoring his vow of celibacy despite a previous warning.
"Considering Father Charamsa's lack of will to correct his behaviour and public statements indicating he will continue to break rules governing the behaviour of Catholic priests," the Bishop had no choice but to defrock Charasma, according to the statement. "This penalty is intended to encourage Father Charamsa to mend his ways and can be rescinded depending on his behaviour."
Since coming out, Charamsa has continued to speak to the media and presented a 10-point "liberation manifesto" about homophobia in Catholic teachings. He says he has met many other Catholic priests who are gay, but denied the existence of a secret "gay lobby."
Charamsa denies that he broke his vow of celibacy, saying he has "never touched a woman."
Watch below as Charamsa tells his story in a clip from a forthcoming Polish movie focused on marriage equality in the nation.
