A gay Catholic couple together 34 years and married 6 have been
denied communion and told to divorce by their priest.
Pierre Laveillee and Lew Pryeor have attended Sacred Heart in
Woonsocket, Rhode Island since moving to the city two years ago. But
the conservative sermons of Rev. Brian Sistare, a recently installed
priest, prompted Pryeor to seek out the priest.
Pryeor told Rhode
Island Future that Sistare informed him that he would not give
him communion anymore because he's in a relationship not recognized
by the church. The priest added that he would only give Pryeor
communion if he divorced his husband.
“I have been a Catholic all my life,” Pryeor said. “I like
to go to church and light a candle for my family. Now, I feel like I
can't do that anymore.”
The couple lives near the church and often bring their
grandchildren to mass. They said they would search out a more
accepting congregation.
Sistare has previously spoken out against politicians who support
gay marriage, including Governor Lincoln Chafee.
“Do RI a favor & go take a job w/Abomination adm. in DC.
Will have to answer to God w/your support of abortion and sodomy!”
he tweeted in January to his 23 followers.