"Abortion Rights" Lawmakers Seek To Receive Communion

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Hail, Master!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Matthew 26:45-50)

"Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'" (Matthew 7:21-23)

This Associated Press article (which is clearly written from a perspective that is biased in favor of liberal pro-abortion politicians) is worth reading: Abortion-rights lawmakers to receive Communion

Here is a quote from the opening section:

Catholic members of Congress who publicly support the right to abortion will trek to Nationals Park Thursday for a Mass celebrated by a pope who has said such lawmakers should not receive Communion.

Leading these lawmakers, some of whom have repeatedly complained about remarks by Pope Benedict XVI and a few bishops on the subject, will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the government's highest-ranking Catholic and a supporter of abortion rights. Nowhere in her remarks or her actions this week has she referred to strains with the new pontiff.

Instead, she bent to kiss his ring at the White House Wednesday as Benedict arrived in a blaze of pageantry, and later she spoke glowingly on the House floor about his commitment to truth, justice and freedom. A week before he arrived, the House passed a resolution welcoming him to Washington.

And yes, her spokesman said, she intends to receive Communion from one of the 300 priests and lay ministers who will offer it to the gathered flock of 45,000.

Benedict's stance on abortion and Communion has been painful for elected officials who inhabit the troubled zone where Catholicism and their political beliefs intersect.

Pelosi was one of 48 Catholic lawmakers—some who support and some who oppose abortion rights—who signed a letter in 2004 complaining about statements by "some members of the Catholic hierarchy."

"If Catholic legislators are scorned and held out for ridicule by Church leaders on the basis of a single issue, the Church will lose strong advocates on a wide range of issues that relate to the core of important Catholic social teaching," they wrote. "Moreover, criticism of us on a matter that is essentially one of personal morality will deter other Catholics from entering politics, and in the long run the Church will suffer."

None of the Catholic lawmakers interviewed Wednesday said they hesitated to attend Thursday's celebration of Mass. This event, they said, is about bigger themes and values, such as hope and compassion.

"Pope Benedict's historic visit is an important opportunity for Catholics and for all Americans to reflect on the ways we can contribute to the common good, address global issues of poverty, disease and despair," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., whose views in 2004 led several Midwestern bishops to say they would deny the Democratic presidential nominee Communion.

"In a nation and a world facing such extraordinary and daunting challenges, the pope's visit promises hope, inspiration and great wisdom," Kerry said in a statement.

My thoughts:

These pro-abortion "Catholic" politicians are shameless and they don't seem to fear God's judgment. It's both upsetting and embarrassing.

The Holy Father has already expressed Church teaching on this matter in a letter titled, Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General Principles:

1. Presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion should be a conscious decision, based on a reasoned judgment 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. The Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin. The Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, with reference to judicial decisions or civil laws that authorize or promote abortion or euthanasia, states that there is a "grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection. [...] In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to 'take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law or vote for it’" (no. 73). Christians have a "grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil. [...] This cooperation can never be justified either by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits it or requires it" (no. 74).

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 individual's judgment 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" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment 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.

See also:

Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life by The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Discipline Regarding the Denial of Holy Communion to Those Obstinately Persevering in Manifest Grave Sin by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D. (Periodica De Re Canonica, 2007)

Denial of the Eucharist to Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians: A Canonical Case Study by Edward Peters

Any thoughts?

Comments

[Gradchica]

If only kissing the papal ring actually symbolized submission to the authority of Peter. I think their remark that they are being criticized for a matter "that is essentially one of personal morality" is telling--no discussion of how one's personal morality should be shaped and guided by the Church, and how in any difference of opinion, one must seek to understand the Church's teaching and conform oneself to it. Really, people...it's not "every Catholic for himself" here. ::Ahem:: that's what makes us Catholic.

Perhaps denying people communion would be the first step toward making them take stock of their position. Or perhaps not. It seems that they are not truly aware of what the Eucharist is, and of what receiving Him means while in a state of grave sin.

Maybe discouraging similarly-minded people from entering politics wouldn't be a bad thing...

[Bill Meyer]

Politicians generally respond to word from their constituents. It would be an excellent idea for Catholic constituents of the 48 legislators involved to send them letters and e-mails, protesting their flaunting of papal authority.

These pols may have no shame, but even a modest deluge of faxes, calls, and e-mails can have a big impact.

[Deter]

About 35% Democrats are pro-life. I would assume about the same number of Republicans are pro-choice. It seems like whether your one or the other isn't a matter of party affiliation.

[Pavegs]

I was fortunate enough to be present at the Papal Mass in Washington D.C. and my seminary's seats were right next to the politicians (above the dugout where the Holy Father emerged). I watched Sen. Chris Dodd (pro-abort) walk up the steps to receive communion (although I cannot confirm that he did receive). Pray for the souls of these "Catholic" politicians that imperil their souls by bringing public scandal to the Church and to the Eucharist.

[Bill Meyer]

According to published reports, both Pelosi and Kerry took communion. I suspect that the priests serving were cautioned not to make an issue of it. But oh, I wish they had. It would indeed have received coverage, even on the liberal media, albeit with a different slant.

[Jimbo]

My thoughts are basic. Like little, immature children, these politicians think they can do whatever they want with no consequences coming upon them. They are their own authority.

They seem shocked and in disbelief that any discipline or authority could be exercised over them. And you know what, I can sort of understand it. If you're never really held accountable, you start to think that it's no big deal.

It will take collective-unified action from all the bishops to get anyone's attention. Then they'll either change or leave...like they should.

[Bill Meyer]

Jimbo,

I agree they're like immature children, but at heart, I think they're just cafeteria Catholics. That means they're accustomed to convincing themselves they have the right to pick and choose the doctrines in which they will believe.

[Gene]

I can think of two more suitable titles than "cafeteria Catholic". How about "Protestant" and "Heretic".

[Robin Conroy]

Who are we to judge - I have found the pope's presence to be one of understanding. Instead of venting here - take time to pray for those you feel unfortunate and then for yourself for being so judgmental. It must be so hard for many of you to accept that this POPE is no longer "Ratzinger the enforcer" but instead a man of faith accepting his humanity and sharing his belief and calling - a pope I was skeptical of but have begun to appreciate. Take a breath - - breathe and praise God for the gift of Benedict!

[Jeffersonranch]

Beware of those that speak too much. Bishops, don't make me laugh.

[Gene]

A "Catholic" that doesn't believe in the Church's core teachings is a protestant/heretic (not the p.c. term but still correct), by definition. There is nothing judgmental to it. That's fact. And I'm not speculating as their beliefs - they've pronounced them publicly and unabashedly.

Absolutely, they should be in our prayers. It is not our place to judge or condemn them. But the loving response should not be to just gloss over the issue and pretend that it isn't important. It is. They are undermining our faith and are materially cooperating in a heinous sin. These politicians must not be led to believe that what they currently believe and promote bears any resemblance to the truth. It is a lie and it is disobedient. And let's face it, all protestantism/heresy/dissent from Church teaching always comes back to simple disobedience. Like willful children, they complain that they don't "like dad's answer", so they do what they think is best. So dangerous, but such a pervasive attitude. Why do you think 90% of Catholics contracept? Get out of my bedroom and get out of my womb Peter!!!!

[Mary Ann]

My goodness, this stream of blog nonesense is so full of "bitter", "judgemental" chit chat about who is righteous enough to recieve the Blessed Sacrament and who is not. Did anyone actually listen to Holy Father's message? "Pray, read the Gospels, purify your heart and turn away from tearing apart those who are different, but rather, look for hope and love one another".... Speaking truth in love is important but speaking with hate, bitterness and anger is something else. I dare ask is this kind of talk Core Catholic Teaching. Peace!

[walter]

Mary Ann...while some of the comments may be less than friendly, it is not hateful to expect those who claim to be Catholics to adhere to Catholic teaching regarding the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. This is a serious issue for Catholics so it is very understandable that people get upset when they see sacrelige.

[CatholicCrusader]

There’s that familiar old misrepresentation: labeling the admonition of a sinner as “judgmental.” To admonish sinners is not only not judgmental, it is one of the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy.

It is clear from the above post that receiving Holy Communion when one is in a state of grave sin is utterly wrong, according to Church teaching. And it is not only an act of charity to correct the sinner for her or his own good, it is wrong not to do so.

The Church teaches that there are nine ways of assisting in another’s sins. Among them are consent, concealment, silence and defense of the ill done.

Mary Ann, please consider that before any further name-calling.

[Jimbo]

Does anyone remember the admonition God gave to Jeremiah to be "judgmental": failing to alert people of their evil deeds will result in Jeremiah being held responsible for their actions. How many bishops have forgotten, or feel uncomfortable with, that command. Do you non-judgemental people even know that's in the Bible? What about the biblical exhortations for pastors to reprove the sinner and sin?

Mary and Robin, you simply don't know what judgmental means. It's not your fault, so we won't judge you too harshly.

[Simple soul]

Jesus knew Judas would betray him yet He allowed him to be present at the Last Supper. When we are wracked by awful wounds like molester Catholics lay or religious or pro choice "Catholic politicians" we should gain comfort from knowing this is not new and Jesus understands our disappointment and sorrow and at times even our anger. The early disciples must have suffered in this way. Perhaps some were impressed by Judas' learning and sophistication or his connections with the High Priests or his business skills and were in sympathy with his impatience for a more assertive more political Christ only to discover later to their horror that he betrayed their Master.
Jesus simply taught His Father's Truth.We are greatly blessed to have great Popes in recent times who do not give in to the modern craving for novelty and accomodation to wordly desires but who loyally and capably explain His Truth.If there are Judas' amomgst us a merciful but just God will judge them in the end.