Priest who denied communion barred WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- A Catholic priest in Maryland who denied communion to a lesbian at her mother's funeral mass has been barred from ministry for other behavior, officials say. The Washington, D.C., archdiocese did not say why it placed the Rev. Marcel Guarnizo, a priest in the Washington suburb of Gaithersburg, Md., on administrative leave, The Washington Post reported. A letter sent Friday to archdiocesan priests from Bishop Barry Knestout, a top administrator in the archdiocese, said Guarnizo was barred from ministry -- a severe penalty -- for "engaging in intimidating behavior toward parish staff and others that is incompatible with proper priestly ministry." The archdiocese confirmed Guarnizo's removal and the letter was read at all masses during the weekend at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, where he had ministered. The church's pastor, the Rev. Thomas LaHood, said the removal was not over Guarnizo's denying the woman communion but "pertains to actions over the past week or two." Guarnizo denied communion to Barbara Johnson at her mother's funeral Feb. 26, Johnson has told the Post. As she approached Guarnizo in the communion line that day, Johnson said, he covered the host and said he could not give her the sacrament "because you live with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin." The priest had learned of Johnson's lesbian relationship just before the service, the Post has reported. Guarnizo has refused to comment on what happened during the funeral mass. Johnson, a Washington artist, declined comment Sunday and released a statement saying: "The Johnson family continues to pray for the Archdiocese of Washington, Father Guarnizo and all Catholics during this time of upheaval. While we understand this letter does not pertain to the events that occurred at our mother's funeral, we are hopeful that Bishop Knestout's decision will ensure that no others will have to undergo the traumatic experiences brought upon our family. We urge all Catholics to put aside political points of view and pray that our church will remain in Christ's love.