BARNESVILLE, Minn. – A 17-year-old boy has been denied confirmation after the priest at a local church found a pro same-sex marriage post on the teen’s Facebook.
According to the Grand Forks Herald, the Rev. Gary LaMoine called the boy’s mother, Shana Cihak, into a private conversation soon after the photo was discovered and told her that her son Lennon wouldn’t be allowed to complete confirmation.
The decision shocked Cihak, who said her son had gone to church every week and volunteered around the community in preparation for his confirmation this year.
“You kind of know the Catholic beliefs, but I never thought they would deny somebody confirmation because you weren’t 100 percent. I guess that’s what shocks me,” Cihak said.
The picture the priest took offence at was a photo of Lennon in front of an altered Minnesota Marriage Amendment sign. The sign had originally read “Vote Yes” in support of defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Lennon had scratched out the “yes” and written “NO.”
The family is now no longer allowed to participate in Communion at the church and Lennon’s father, Doug Cihak is concerned as to how far the sanctions will go.
Shana Cihak has been in contact with Bishop Michael Hoeppner, the Catholic Diocese Bishop who has reportedly said that not much could be done. The Cihaks are considering a more formal appeal.
The Grand Forks Herald reports, however, that Lennon himself has not lost his faith,
“I don’t want the church to be put down. I don’t want the Catholic religion to be put down,” he said. “It’s just the way the priest has things running. He’s so strict. He won’t loosen up about things.”
