Vatican fires self-confessed gay priest

The Vatican has dismissed Krzystof Charamsa, a polish priest, who lectures in two top Catholic institutions in Italy.

Charamsa, who has spent 17 years in Rome, opened up on his involvement with homosexuality on the eve of a meeting where church leaders were to discuss controversial societal issues such as divorce and homosexuality.

He said he was ready to give up his positions in exchange for his love life.

However, in a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesman for Pope Francis described Charamsa’s action as “very serious and irresponsible”.

“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 statement read.

Charamsa received the news with delight, saying: “I’m out of the closet and I’m very happy about that.”

At a press conference in Rome, the controversial priest, who was flanked by his boyfriend, said he was compelled to speak out against what he described as the hypocrisy that shapes the church’s attitude to sexual minorities.

“I want to be an advocate for all sexual minorities and their families who have suffered in silence,” he said.

He presented a 10-point ‘liberation manifesto’ against “institutionalised homophobia in the church” and also revealed plans for a book about his 12 years at the Vatican.

“I dedicate my coming out to all gay priests,” he said.

“I wish them happiness even if I know that most of them will not have the courage to make the gesture I have made today.

“To my Church, I want to say that I reject and I denounce the current atmosphere of exasperating homophobia. Open your eyes to the suffering of gay people, to their desire for love.”