Gay priest fired by Vatican describes 'special homophobia'

The Polish monsignor who came out as gay and was fired by the Vatican just before a meeting of bishops about outreach to gays says a "special kind of homophobia" exists among priests, because those who are homosexual are forced to hate themselves.

Krzysztof Charamsa says in an interview with The Associated Press that he hopes more priests will come out "to destroy the code of silence in the church."

Charamsa was a mid-level official in the Vatican's doctrine office.

He came out in interviews in Italy and Poland last month, saying he was happy and proud to be a gay priest and in love with his boyfriend.
 

The declarations a day before the bishops met prompted the Vatican to fire him.

Charamsa now lives with his boyfriend in Barcelona.