As expected, pro-abortion politicians from the U.S. received communion during the Pope’s inaugural mass yesterday.
Of course, this is not a uniquely American problem. Countries from all over the world sent delegations to the inaugural mass and probably more than a few contained pro-abortion pols. Now I don’t know if any announcement was made at the hugely attended mass about those, in general terms, that are not prepared to receive communion should abstain. They do this at Christmas and weddings now, thankfully, so I hope they did it there.
At the very least, the Pope avoided the dreaded photo-op of giving communion to one of these pro-abortion pols by not distributing communion himself.
But this issue has to come to a head at some point and perhaps Pope Francis is the one to do it. LiveAction reports that as the former Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio, Pope Francis wrote that more than mere reminders not to receive may be needed.
The Catholic Church is clear on its stance against abortion. Yet denying Communion to those who are known to facilitate in an abortion is not always as clear as it should be. Such situations are at times dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Often, the pro-abortion Catholics in question are reminded or encouraged not to partake in Holy Communion. In going against the Church, in these cases by facilitating in an abortion, a person is excommunicated by his or her own actions. More than a mere reminder or sense of encouragement may be needed.
The text itself states:
“we should commit ourselves to ‘eucharistic coherence’, that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated. This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals.”
So just perhaps, Pope Francis, now so appreciated by the pro-abortion left, may be the Pope to finally put them in their place.
March 21, 2013 at 2:15 pm
I think we need to spend more time in prayer, and evangelizing with words and without, the people God sends across our paths each day. We are all adults and like Kathy said, Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi know they are not supposed to be receiving Holy Communion. They will receive their just recompense for the choices they have made in their lives. So will you and I. There is such a lack of love in our world today. I also find this lack of love in people who profess to be Catholic. If we had been faithful in showing this love to each other, the whole world would be Catholic today.
March 21, 2013 at 2:42 pm
I think points 5-6 show that Pope Benedict would refuse Biden if he recognized him based on his persistent public support including the v-presidential debate.
Cardinal Ratzinger wrote the following:
Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion. General Principles
by Joseph Ratzinger
1. Presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion should be a conscious decision, based on a reasoned judgement regarding one¿s worthiness to do so, according to the Church¿s objective criteria, asking such questions as: "Am I in full communion with the Catholic Church? Am I guilty of grave sin? Have I incurred a penalty (e.g. excommunication, interdict) that forbids me to receive Holy Communion? Have I prepared myself by fasting for at least an hour?" The practice of indiscriminately presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion, merely as a consequence of being present at Mass, is an abuse that must be corrected (cf. Instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," nos. 81, 83).
2. point 2 is omitted allowing this to be accepted based upon the limit of characters.
3. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.
4. Apart from an individuals¿s judgement about his worthiness to present himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion may find himself in the situation where he must refuse to distribute Holy Communion to someone, such as in cases of a declared excommunication, a declared interdict, or an obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin (cf. can. 915).
5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person¿s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church¿s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
6. When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2000], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgement on the person¿s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person¿s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.
March 22, 2013 at 2:56 pm
I figured they would. The priests do not know the politicians and would've probably caused ciaos if they refused with so many people. Perhaps in hindsight, the Pope can send a letter to these persons. They probably should not have gone in the first place, but since the majority of US representatives are pro-abortion anyway, I don't see how we could have a US representative there and avoid the issue.