"Spanish priest could face criminal charges for denying Communion to homosexual politician"

"A Catholic priest in Spain could face criminal charges for denying the Eucharist to an openly homosexual politician.

'[Denying Communion] is contrary to the Spanish constitution,' socialist Equality Minister Ana Redondo said in an interview in January, the Pillar reports.

She claimed that the Catholic Church 'cannot, even if there is no specific law, be subtracted from the constitutional rules, the principle of equality and non-discrimination of Article 14.'

'You can not discriminate against an LGTBI citizen and require him to choose either his faith or his sexual condition,' she added. 'This is clearly discriminatory and I hope there will be a [legal] challenge.'

Redondo responded to a statement from the socialist mayor of the small town of Torrecaballeros in the province of Segovia. On January 11, Ruben Garcia wrote on X that his parish priest had denied him Holy Communion because of his public homosexual relationship.

Garcia said he had been denied the Eucharist 'because of my sexual condition and living with my partner.'

He accused parts of the Catholic Church in Segovia of 'homophobia' and lamented that 'to the Church of Segovia, the spring of Francis has not arrived.'

Garcia implied that Pope Francis would disapprove of the denial of the Holy Eucharist in this case, given his past support for the LGBT agenda, including allowing the 'blessing' of same-sex couples...

The PSOE hinted at possible legal action, stating that 'legislation in our country has typified hate crimes based on sexual orientation and we are convinced that this situation will end at the root, since no one wants to walk down that path.'

The Diocese of Segovia published a statement in response to the PSOE, saying that the priest did not act in a 'homophobic and discriminatory way.'...

'This is not homophobia or discrimination, as Communion is not being denied because of the homosexual condition, but to defend the sacred character of the Eucharist,' the statement continues.

The diocese said that Segovia PSOE’s demand is a 'defamatory judgment' and an 'inadmissible interference in internal matters of the Church, and an attack against religious freedom as guaranteed in the Constitution.'...

The Church in Spain could face legal persecution due to its apostolic teaching and practice on marriage and the family on other accounts as well.

Spain’s Minister of Equality Redondo also said in the interview that she would meet the Spanish bishop to discuss the issue of seven Spanish dioceses being accused of supporting 'conversion therapy' for homosexuals, which is illegal and punishable by a fine in Spain. Many dioceses have denied that charge and said that they merely held talks with people previously engaged in homosexual activities."