Krzysztof Charamsa, the Polish priest
who was fired last month for coming out gay, has denounced the Roman
Catholic Church in a letter to Pope Francis.
In his letter, dated October 3,
Charamsa accused the church of causing “immeasurable suffering”
to gay Catholics and their families.
“Have a minimum of mercy,” he
wrote. “At least leave us alone, allow civil societies to make
our lives more human, while you, with your church, have managed to
make the lives of us homosexuals a hell.”
The 43-year-old Charamsa announced that
he is gay and has a partner, Spaniard Eduardo Planas, on the day
before Pope Francis opened the Synod of Bishops, a three-week
assembly of bishops from around the world looking at issues facing
Catholic families.
The Vatican called Charamsa's actions
“irresponsible,” adding that he “will certainly be unable” to
continue as a theologian at the Vatican.
Last week, a Polish bishop defrocked
Charamsa, saying that he failed to abide by his vow of celibacy.
“Today I have put myself on the side
of the fantastic homosexual people, who have during centuries been
humiliated by a fanatical church,” Charamsa wrote in his letter.
“All gay cardinals, bishops and
priests should have the courage to leave this insensible, unjust and
violent church.”
“The church must stop sowing hatred
against those who live in peace and love on this Earth. The church,
incapable of confronting humanity, must shut up if it is not capable
to use reason,” he added.
Charamsa now lives in Spain with his
partner.