MARYLAND
Washington Post

By Michelle Boorstein

A Gaithersburg Catholic priest who triggered national debate late last month when he denied Communion to a lesbian at her mother’s funeral Mass has been placed on administrative leave from ministry in the Washington archdiocese.

Specific details about why the Rev. Marcel Guarnizo was barred from ministry – a severe penalty – were not immediately available. The Post learned of the suspension from a letter dated March 9 that is written to other archdiocesan priests.

The letter from the Rev. Barry Knestout, a top administrator in the archdiocese, which covers Washington and the Maryland suburbs, says the suspension was for “engaging in intimidating behavior toward parish staff and others that is incompatible with proper priestly ministry.” …

According to Johnson, this weekend’s homily from St. John Neumann’s pastor, the Rev. Thomas LaHood, repeated that the suspension was unrelated to her case. Some local…