"This does not mean that unrepentant manifest sinners will simply be refused or turned away," he said. "Even in those cases where a public Mass of Christian Burial in church cannot be celebrated because the deceased person was unrepentant and there would be public scandal, the priest or deacon may conduct a private funeral service, for example, at the funeral home."
Bishop Paprocki did find a point in the priest's criticism.
"Father Martin's tweets do raise an important point with regard to other situations of grave sin and the reception of Holy Communion. He is right that the Church's teaching does not apply only to people in same-sex marriages," he said.
Citing canon law, the bishop said everyone conscious of grave sin should not receive Holy Communion without first going to confession and receiving absolution. This is relevant to everyone who has committed a grave sin, whether it is sexual sin, missing Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation without grave cause, procuring an abortion, or having attempted remarriage after a divorce without obtaining a decree of nullity.
The bishop noted that a couple who agrees to live as brother and sister in an irregular union, if there is no public scandal, could receive Holy Communion after repenting, going to confession, and amending their lives. This similarly would apply to two men or two women who live chastely with each outher.
Bishop Paprocki's decree drew significant media coverage.
"The fact that there would be such an outcry against this decree is quite astounding and shows how strong the LGBT lobby is both in the secular world as well as within the Church," he said.
Citing Pope Francis' comments against judgementalism, the bishop noted that the Pope had warned against any form of lobbies, including a "gay lobby."
Burial rites were only one part of the June 12 decree, which concerned topics including the use of Catholic facilities and diocesan personnel in same-sex ceremonies, as well as the response to people in same-sex unions and to any children who live with such couples and are presented for the sacraments or Catholic education.