Catholic priest denies communion to a lifelong churchgoer because she is gay.

Judge Sara Smolenski, the chief judge at the Kent County District Court, was denied communion in a church she has attended for more than six decades because she is married to a woman

A lesbian judge has been denied the Eucharist at the church where she was baptised and has attended for more than 60 years because she is married to a woman.

Sara Smolenski, chief judge at Kent County District Court in Michigan, was refused communion by the St Stephen Catholic Church priest and told she should “respect the church” and not return for the sacrament in future.

Ms Smolenski was baptised in the church as a baby, went to school there and celebrated many life events in the church, where her parents were also married.

She told MLive: “In 62 years, this is the first time I’ve ever been denied.”

The judge added: “I was raised in that church. It created who I am. We were taught ‘love everyone’.”

Three years ago, Ms Smolenski married her longterm partner of 27 years.

She said her priest Father Scott Nolan had been aware for some time she was gay and it had not appeared to be an issue until this month.

Father Nolan told Ms Smolenski over the phone that she was not to continue receiving the Eucharist at the parish.

He demanded she “respect the church” and said her marriage was the crux of the issue.

Speaking to Wood TV 8, she said: “The way he said it was ‘because you’re married to Linda in the state of Michigan, you cannot accept communion.

“I try to be a good and faithful servant to our Lord Jesus Christ.

“My faith is a huge part of who I am, but it is the church that made that faith, the very church where he is taking a stance and saying ho-ho, not you.”

mirror.co.uk