A local lesbian woman was denied communion at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Md. during her mother’s funeral service, The Washington Post reported.

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Rev. Marcel Guarnizo learned that Barbara Johnson, 51, is a lesbian right before the service for her mother on Saturday morning. Johnson, a local art studio owner, arrived at the service with her partner.

After waiting in line for her communion, the priest told Johnson that he would not give her the bread and wine because of her “sin.”

“He put his hand over the body of Christ and looked at me and said, ‘I can’t give you Communion because you live with a woman, and in the eyes of the church, that is a sin,’ ” Johnson told The Washington Post.

Guarnizo also left the alter while Johnson was giving her eulogy.

The Post reported that Johnson received a letter of apology late on Tuesday from Rev. Barry Knestout, a high-ranking archdiocese, who said he was “concerned” about the treatment Johnson and her family received.