On the eve of the assembly of bishops, a Polish priest and Vatican official announced he was gay. Thus, a Vatican spokesperson said, he will no longer be able to carry out his duties.
Calling on Pope Francis to change the Catholic catechism on homosexuality, Mosignor Krzysztof Olaf Charamsa held a press conference on Saturday, with his partner at his side.
The Synod of Bishops will be addressing issues facing the families starting Sunday in Rome. He timed his announcement with their gathering in order to draw attention to the topic of homosexuality.
"My decision of 'coming out' is a very personal decision in the homophobic world of the Catholic Church. It has been very difficult and very hard. I ask that you keep in mind this reality that is difficult to understand for anyone who has not lived through an identical passage in their own life," Charamsa told reporters.
According to the Vatican Radio, Charamsa, 43 has been living in Rome for 17 years and has worked at the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 2003.
He also serves as assistant secretary of the International Theological Commission and teaches theology at two of Rome’s Pontifical universities, the Gregorian and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum.
"Every homosexual person is a son of God," he said."This is the will of God for our life, also for my life with him."
As observed by experts, the public nature of his revelation presents a challenged to the perceived "don't ask, don't tell" attitude that reigns in the Vatican. Two issues are presented by Charamsa's admission: his sexual orientation and his apparent violation of his celibacy vow in acknowledging he has a partner.
His superior, known as a diocesan bishop or Ordinary, will determine Charamsa's role in the Catholic church. He will carry out an investigation that will be submitted to the Congregation of the Doctrine and Faith.
"The decision to make such a pointed statement on the eve of the opening of the Synod appears very serious and irresponsible, since it aims to subject the Synod assembly to undue media pressure," Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesperson said.
"Monsignor Charamsa will certainly be unable to continue to carry out his previous work in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith and the Pontifical universities, while the other aspects of his situation shall remain the [responsibility] of his diocesean Ordinary."
