A priest who game out as gay was fired from the Vatican on Saturday, just one day before the start of the weeks-long Synod of Bishops.
"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," Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement.
At the global meeting, bishops will discuss, among other things, the Catholic church's outreach to the LGBT community.
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Krzysztof Charamsa, who told Italian and Polish newspapers he was in love with his boyfriend, can retain his priesthood, but will not be allowed to work for the Vatican or pontifical universities, The Associated Press reports.
"This is a very personal, difficult, and tough decision in the Catholic church's homophobic world," said Charamsa, 43, in a news conference alongside his partner.
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The move to fire Charamsa comes after the Vatican confirmed Pope Francis met with both same-sex marriage opponent Kim Davis and an openly gay couple during his U.S. trip. Facing criticism, the Vatican said Francis did not endorse the Kentucky clerk's views.
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