A Polish priest has been removed from a Vatican post after telling a newspaper he is gay.
Krzystof Charamsa says it is time for the Catholic Church to “open its eyes” and change its stance on homosexuality.
It comes as bishops arrive in Rome for a synod, with homosexuality expected to be on the agenda.
“My decision to ‘come out’ is a very personal decision in the homophobic world of the Catholic Church. It has been very difficult and very hard,” said Charamsa.
“I ask that you keep in mind this reality that is difficult to understand for anyone who has not lived through an identical passage in their own life.”
Charamsa, 43, and gay activists had planned a demonstration outside the Vatican, but changed the venue hours before.
The Vatican says the priest’s dismissal has nothing to do with the comments about his personal situation.
But it also says that giving the interview and planning a demonstration was “grave and irresponsible” given their timing.
It said his acti
