Bishop Francesco Nolè: Gay People Don't Deserve Funerals

Italian Bishop Francesco Nolè says that "irregular" people like homosexuals don't deserve to be honored with a funeral.

In an interview published last Friday on pontifex.roma.it, a website created to ‘prove and defend Christianity’, Bishop Francesco Nolè declared that ‘irregulars’ such as criminals and homosexuals should not be given communions or funerals. This, he said, is not to be seen as discrimination, but rather as ‘healthy medicine’ for those close to the person: “Our behaviour, which could be perceived as mean or cruel, in the long-run often heals and evangelises.” He added: “We must have the courage and tact, perhaps first informing the individual, or the families if he has passed, that it’s not possible to administer a communion or funeral. We would perhaps pray for his soul, which must be done.”

The above-linked story notes that the bishop's remarks came two days after members of the Vatican were exposed as part of a male prostitution ring.