UPDATED WITH VATICAN REACTION
The Vatican dismissed a priest from his post in a Holy See office today after he told a newspaper he was gay and urged the Catholic Church to change its stance on homosexuality.
Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa was removed from his position at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's doctrinal arm where he had worked since 2003, a statement said.
Charamsa, 43, a Polish theologian, announced he was gay and had a partner in a long interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper,
He later held a news conference with his partner, a Spanish man, and gay activists at a Rome restaurant. They had planned a demonstration in front of the Vatican but changed the venue several hours before it was due to have started.
The Vatican said Charamsa's dismissal had nothing to do with his comments on his personal situation, which it said "merit respect".
But it said giving the interview and the planned demonstration was "grave and irresponsible" given their timing on the eve of a synod of bishops who will discuss family issues, including how to reach out to gays.
It said his actions would subject the synod, which Pope Francis is due to open on Sunday, to "undue media pressure".
The issue of homosexuality and the Church has dominated the aftermath of the pope's visit to the United States last week.
In Saturday's interview, Charamsa said his partner had helped him come to terms with his sexuality and knew he would have to give up the priesthood, although the Vatican statement made no reference to this outcome.
"It's time for the Church to open its eyes about gay Catholics and to understand that the solution it proposes to them -- total abstinence from a life of love -- is inhuman," he was quoted as saying.
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexuality is not a sin but that homosexual acts are.
The Vatican said the dismissal had nothing to do with Charasma's reflections on his personal life, which it said "merit respect".
But it said giving the interview and the planned demonstration was "grave and irresponsible" given their timing on the eve of a synod of bishops who will discuss family issues, including the Church's position on gays.
It said his actions would subject the synod, which Pope Francis is due to open on Sunday, to "undue media pressure".
At the news conference, Charamsa said he wanted to make "an enormous noise for the good of the Church" and apply "good Christian pressure" on the synod not to forget homosexual believers.
"This decision of mine to come out was a very personal one taken in a Catholic Church that is homophobic and very difficult and harsh (towards gays)," he said.
He suggested that a study be made of how many homosexuals work in the Vatican. "We can't continue showing contempt and offence towards homosexuals," he said.
The issue of homosexuality and the Church has dominated the aftermath of the pope's visit to the United States last week.
"I ask the pope to be strong and to remember us, homosexuals, lesbians, transsexuals and bisexuals as children of the Church and members of humanity," Charamsa said.