Dr Ing. Patrick Attard, who contested the last general election as the first openly gay candidate, yesterday excommunicated himself from the Catholic Church at the Chancellor’s office in the Curia.Following the Vatican’s opposition to the UN Resolution for the universal decriminalisation of gay relationships a few weeks ago, the Pope, in his Christmas Message to the Vatican, called homosexuality a destruction of God’s work and that the world should be saved from homosexuality just as we should save the rainforests from destruction.
“These outrageous comments can only spread intolerance and hatred towards the gay minority,” Dr Attard said.
“I do not want the government to assume I am part of this hate-preaching organisation just because I was baptised. Since the Curia does not want to disassociate itself from the Pope’s 22 December remarks, there is no choice but to excommunicate myself publicly from this power and money-hungry institution.
“By excommunicating myself doesn’t mean I am a Satanist or a selfish person.”
The person who wishes to excommunicate himself/herself from the Church should make an appointment with the Curia’s Chancellor (Telephone
259...
), take his/her Identity Card and write a declaration that he/she has left the Catholic Church.This declaration should include the place and date of baptism.
The declaration is also signed by the Chancellor on behalf of the Catholic Church.
The date of baptism is written on the baptismal certificate, which can be obtained from the Parish Office of the village where the ceremony took place.
An excommunicated person cannot receive Holy Communion, cannot have a religious funeral, cannot actively take part in the Mass, and cannot be a witness in a Catholic ceremony – baptism, wedding, confirmation and so on.
He/she is however allowed to enter churches.
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(Source: IOM)