Judge Smolenski said the priest at the Grand Rapids, Michigan church cited her marriage with her longtime partner (27 years), whom she wed about three years ago, for the denial of communion. The judge said she was baptized at the church and attended school there in her youth along with her 9 siblings. Her parents were married there.
Father Nolan called her last week to inform her of his alleged ‘required’ denial, despite doing so during his entire tenure prior to this – including a week before. Now, the local diocese claims that while they “appreciate Judge Smolenski’s service to the community” and “are grateful for her past generosity”, she is in “public contradiction of its beliefs” that they cannot condone.
Father Nolan previously accepted $7000 from Judge Smolenski meant for caring of the church grounds.
Another time Preacher Nolan denied two same-sex parents communion in front of the congregation.
From The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: The transformed bread and wine that are the Body and Blood of Christ are not merely symbols because they truly are the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids agreed with Father Nolan.
From Michigan Live and The Daily News
