It was bound to happen sooner or later. A priest has been sacked for abuse. No, not that kind.

Liturgical abuse.

From CWN, via the Baltimore Sun:

Baltimore’s Archbishop Edwin O’Brien has removed a pastor who invited a female Episcopalian priest to join him in celebrating a funeral Mass, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Father Martin was removed from his parish assignment at a meeting with archdiocesan officials on November 8. The priest, whose unorthodox liturgical practices had prompted several prior complaints, said that the Episcopalian priest had not participated in the Consecration during the October funeral liturgy, although he had invited her to read the Gospel. There were conflicting reports on whether or not the Episcopalian cleric had received Communion; Father Martin said that he could not recall administering the Eucharist to her.

On the orders of the archbishop, Father Martin resigned his parish assignment and issued an apology for “bringing scandal to the Church,” the Sun reports. A spokesman for the Baltimore archdiocese explained that the pastor’s removal was called for because “he has repeatedly violated Church teaching.”

Father Martin was serving as pastor of three different parishes in south Baltimore, where he had worked for 5 years. His removal comes just 6 weeks after Archbishop O’Brien was installed as head of the Baltimore archdiocese.

The Baltimore Sun’s write up is right here. It quotes some of the other parties involved.

And it notes that Martin has not been defrocked, and is now at a monastery in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, receiving counseling.

UPDATE: The Baltimore Sun has printed some reaction to the priest’s resignation — and you can read more about it right here.

UPDATE II: The Archbishop has spoke out about the controversy, and now indicates the priest can return to ministry after receiving counseling. You can read all about it at this link.

Photo: Fr. Ray Martin, by Nanine Hartzenbusch, Baltimore Sun