Calling Ed Peters, Calling Ed Peters.
In a newspaper interview,the new Auxiliary Bishop in Indianapolis, Bishop Christopher Coyne, had something to say about denying communion. He wouldn’t do it.
On denying Communion to politicians whose votes conflict with church teaching:
“I would never deny someone Communion unless they were absolutely deranged or something like that and it is obvious that they shouldn’t be receiving Communion. The Communion line is not the place where you deal with whether or not someone should be receiving Communion.”
Never? I think that canon law has something to say about his responsibilities in this area, no? Or is he just like President Obama in choosing only to enforce the laws that he likes?
Or does he think that the only time you can refuse Communion is on the Communion line itself, making a big scene? That seems a conveniently and overly narrow interpretation of a much larger and important question, otherwise known as a dodge. Bishops shouldn’t dodge, but if they do they should do a better job at it. Say something like “I am exploring the full range of options.” That seems to work.
On the other hand, perhaps Bishop Coyne is using this “I cannot lie but I can cleverly use use this mental reservation thingy” we have been hearing so much about lately.
Outside Voice: “I would never deny someone Communion unless they were absolutely deranged or something..”
Inside Voice: “Any Catholic politician who publicly opposes Church teaching on the non-negotiables is obviously deranged or something…”
Or maybe he just doesn’t give a fig about the souls of pseudo-Catholic politicians who “eat and drink judgment” on themselves?
However you interpret Bishop Coyne’s answer, he doesn’t come off looking good.
Maybe he is deranged or something…
March 4, 2011 at 6:55 am
"The Communion line is not the place where you deal with whether or not someone should be receiving Communion."
That just sounds plainly kooky.
March 4, 2011 at 12:43 pm
So if not there where? If not you, who?
Once again why are these people who are weak at the knees made Bishops? It is as if they did not even know the meaning of the word charity outsides of its distorted secular context.
March 4, 2011 at 1:01 pm
He's from Massachusetts…'nuff said. I live here, so I can say that!
March 4, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Someone is going to be a perpetual auxiliary.
March 4, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Aggh. Wow. Well, I think he's misrepresenting the Church. Both of them. After all, in Mass, we ask forgiveness for what we do and for what we fail to do…
March 4, 2011 at 2:54 pm
No backbone, no real committment to church law,
—wait most ignore any "judgements" these days, well Christ won't.
March 4, 2011 at 3:00 pm
On the other hand, if someone is truly deranged then are they capable of committing mortal sin?
March 4, 2011 at 3:21 pm
On whether or not Notre Dame was right to honor pro-abortion President Barack Obama, Bishop Coyne responded: "That's outside my purview."
Really?
Pray for our Bishops!
March 4, 2011 at 6:44 pm
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March 4, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Better title: "Why I shouldn't be a Bishop."
Denis
March 4, 2011 at 10:37 pm
"Or maybe he just doesn't give a fig about the souls of pseudo-Catholic politicians who "eat and drink judgment" on themselves?"
Good point. Rebuke with love, of course, but the permissiveness isn't helping bring sinners to repentance.
@ Suzanne:
"Pray for our Bishops."
Indeed.
March 5, 2011 at 6:38 pm
I think what he's saying is that moment, when communion is occurring, is not the place to tell someone that they shouldn't receive. This actually makes sense. A bishop should be having conversations with the politicians outside of Mass, not when they step up to receive the Eucharist. The place to do that is not the communion line, but before the person ever gets there.
March 5, 2011 at 8:08 pm
This man is clearly Papal material.
March 6, 2011 at 12:03 am
Don't blame the new bishop, blame Pope Benedict – he appointed him. Bad move, Benedict! Is Benedict going down the road of Popes John Paul II and Paul VI who appointed awful bishops who were no more Catholic than Barack Obama? No, this bishop is only following his own opinion, it was up to the Nuncio and Pope to know what these opinions are. Business as usual in Rome it seems.
March 6, 2011 at 7:16 am
What does one have to do to be denied Communion? Evidently, one
may publicly advocate for abortion and still receive Communion. One
may be a notorious figure who engages in public concubinage and
still receive Communion. In fact, the only sin I can think of that has
recently had bishops and priests publicly denying Communion is that
of having the effrontery to attempt to receive while kneeling…
March 6, 2011 at 11:51 am
Another Bishop that needs to be replaced and won't be.
March 8, 2011 at 6:11 pm
If he won't deny them Communion he is in effect denying them salvation. "I'm okay, your okay" isn't the Gospel message.