Vatican Fires Gay Priest

Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa was fired on Saturday after coming out in newspaper interviews in Italy and Poland, according to Time, after he declared that he was proud to be gay and in love with a man whom he said was his boyfriend. "I have to say who I am. I am a gay priest. I am a happy and proud gay priest," he told Gazeta Wyborcza.

Vatican Spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi released a statement:

"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."

Charamsa, 43, told reporters that his coming out had no relation to the bishops meeting on the family. He did hope that his words could add "a Christian voice" to the synod. The assembly is expected to address how the Church can better minister to gay people within the faith. Charamsa said he's written a book of his experience for those who wish to confront him. He was encouraged to come out after receiving hate mail in response to his public criticism of an anti-gay priest.

"I came out. This is a very personal, difficult and tough decision in the Catholic church's homophobic world," Charamsa told reporters.

Although Charasma's priesthood remains intact, he can no longer work at the Vatican or its pontifical universities.