Archbishop Charles Scicluna instructed Father David Muscat to stop making “inflammatory and hurtful comments” or face suspension after the priest “claimed that being gay was worse than being possessed,” according to the Times of Malta’s paraphrase of his remarks.

“I want to apologize on behalf of the Church to all those who were hurt by these harsh words, and their mothers and fathers who also feel betrayed by the Church they love,” Archbishop Scicluna added.