Governor Puts Communion Aside After Upsetting New Jersey Bishops

NY Times ^ | May 6, 2004 | DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI

[narses]

Bowing to pressure from New Jersey's increasingly outspoken Roman Catholic bishops, Gov. James E. McGreevey said Wednesday that he would no longer receive holy communion during Mass because his support for abortion rights and other social causes contradicts church doctrine.

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During the past month, bishops of Camden and Trenton have stepped forward to declare that Mr. McGreevey, a former altar boy who attends services at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Princeton, is not a devout Catholic because of his stance on several political causes that are opposed by the church, including domestic partnership for gay couples, abortion rights and the use of human stem cells in medical research. The Camden bishop said he would refuse to give Mr. McGreevey communion.

The dispute reached new intensity on Wednesday when Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark released a five-page pastoral statement, published in this week's issue of the archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Advocate. It said elected officials who support abortion rights should spare the church "scandal" by opting not to seek communion when they attend Mass.

Speaking to reporters after an appearance on the steps of the State House, Mr. McGreevey said he would comply with the bishops' wishes. But he sharply disagreed with what he called their effort to force Catholic elected officials to choose between their political beliefs and their faith, invoking the names of both St. Thomas Aquinas and John F. Kennedy, the nation's only Roman Catholic president.

The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his support for abortion rights, winning several ovations from the group of community leaders and environmentalists who had gathered to hear him promote an environmental initiative.

"I believe it's a false choice in America between one's faith and constitutional obligation," Mr. McGreevey said. "In America we have a longstanding policy of separation between church and state."

Mr. McGreevey did not rule out receiving communion at private services or in other dioceses, like New York, where bishops have not sought to deny the sacrament to elected officials who support abortion rights.

The clash between the bishops and the governor comes as Catholic opponents of abortion rights have been pushing the Vatican and church leaders in the United States to take a more public stand against elected officials who defy church doctrine.

Last month, a high-ranking cardinal at the Vatican said during a news conference that a Catholic politician who did not embrace the church's anti-abortion position was "not fit" to receive communion. That statement prompted the archbishop of St. Louis to declare that Senator John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, should be denied the sacrament because he supports abortion rights, and has led to speculation that Mr. Kerry might not be invited to the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity fund-raiser sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York each October.

In New Jersey, the criticism of Mr. McGreevey began last month, when Bishop John Smith of Trenton said the governor was "not a devout Catholic" because he, like may Catholic politicians, says that he is personally opposed to abortion but feels compelled to support abortion rights in his public life.

Last week, the new head of the Diocese of Camden, Bishop Joseph A. Galante, said he would not let the governor receive communion at his installation service because Mr. McGreevey, who is divorced, did not receive an annulment before remarrying. The governor did not attend the service, and has declined to discuss whether he was granted an annulment.

Church officials said that Wednesday's pastoral statement by Archbishop Myers was released simply to offer moral guidance to members of the diocese and remind them that the church's anti-abortion position is unequivocal. "With abortion, there can be no legitimate diversity of opinion," the archbishop wrote. "The direct killing of the innocent is always a grave injustice."

Frances Kissling, president of the Washington-based group Catholics for a Free Choice, said conservative Catholic leaders were trying to keep the issue of abortion in the public eye this presidential election year.

"They want George W. Bush to get re-elected," Ms. Kissling said. "We all know that there are several wedge constituencies in our very evenly divided electorate, and one of those is the Catholic voters."

New Jersey is such a liberal state, however - more than 60 percent of voters support abortion rights in most polls - that many elected officials and political analysts anticipate that the dispute over abortion might actually help Mr. McGreevey, a Democrat. Cliff Zukin, director of the Star-Ledger/Eagleton-Rutgers Poll, said that voters in the state, especially older voters, were wary of religious leaders dictating public policy.

"Older people are more likely to believe in the separation of church and state, and older people also make up a disproportionately high number of the voters," Mr. Zukin said. "So I think that this kind of issue would be to Jim McGreevey's advantage."

[Mercat]

I don't understand why they always have to say "former altar boy" in these stupid articles. For crying out loud, a lot of people leave the faith after they are 12. My sons were both altar boys and neither one of them now are in communion. I hope that they will be some day but it's pretty irrelevant that they were at one time.

[muawiyah]

One supposes Kennedy wasn't a perfect Catholic. Whether that's good or bad depends on your religous affiliation to a degree. In any case, the Texas Baptists before whom he appeared didn't ask him to give up his morality, belief in God, etc. ~ all they cared about was whether he would take orders from the Pope concerning specific pieces of legislation.

Odds are those very same Baptist ministers probably shared 99% of their theology with the Pope, if not with Kennedy. There are, of course, profound ecclesiastical differences ~

[little jeremiah]

I found this statement interesting:

"I believe it's a false choice in America between one's faith and constitutional obligation," Mr. McGreevey said. "In America we have a longstanding policy of separation between church and state."

The fool isn't really talking about separation of church and state (as if that could ever happen), he's talking about the separation of religion and conscience from one's heart. He's saying that the only way to be a religious person and a proper politician is to be a hypocrite and panderer. What a slimey individual.

It would be better for him to be an atheist than a hypocrite by supposedly being a Catholic and simultaneously promoting sin and death.

[GraceCoolidge]

But he sharply disagreed with what he called their effort to force Catholic elected officials to choose between their political beliefs and their faith, invoking the names of both St. Thomas Aquinas and John F. Kennedy, the nation's only Roman Catholic president.

If I remember my history correctly, St. Thomas was executed because he refused to abandon his faith for politics. Pretty hypocritical example to choose. And I want to scream whenever I hear about this awful "effort to force Catholic elected officials to choose...." Who is forcing them to be Catholic again??? The point is that if anyone (elected official or not) chooses to proclaim themselves "Catholic," that person has an obligation to comply with at least the most basic tenets of the faith. Why is it so impossible for the media to grasp this point? These stories are just about vote-trolling political hacks whose "Catholicism" extends no farther than focus group data on how a Catholic candidate fares in the upcoming election. It is disgusting, and the media's stupidity about it is just more salt in the wound. When will someone actually call these politicians to account on this "separation of church and state" fallacy? How does it violate the separation of church and state for the church to stand against a moral wrong? And why is it that these same politicians who must fight so fiercely to protect a woman's right to "choose" murder simultaneously attack the church's right to choose its own doctrine? Separation of church and state is a two way street.... and these politicians should stop trying to pressure the church to alter its doctrine in order to suit their own electoral needs! PS: The "former altar boy" schtick is indeed very tiring....

[Uncle Guido]

Now, if McGreevy would also give up politics and the Governor's job......

[mware]

Frances Kissling, president of the Washington-based group Catholics for a Free Choice,

Kissling and Catholics for a Free Choice have nothing to do with being Catholic.

[Cicero]

As a former Anglican, I think it's fair to say that consubstantiation represents the via media betweent the Catholic position, which is that the substance of the bread and wine is transformed into the body and blood of Christ, and the more extreme Protestant understanding, that Communion is a kind of commemoration or memorial of the Last Supper.

Also as a former Anglican I suspect that the thing the Anglican bishops liked about the word is that it can't actually be defined. The standard position in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries is that the Last Supper is a mystery that shouldn't be looked into too closely.

[Ladytotheright]

Yes. Catholics and Lutherans believe in the real presence of the body and blood of Christ Protestants, I think just be lieve symbolically

[litany_of_lies]

So much of the Church has been so quiet on abortion for so long that many Catholics now think that abortion is just one of many issues they should use as a basis for evaluating a politician. No doubt some bishops believe that too, including the late Cardinal Bernadin of Chicago.

THEY ARE WRONG. If this episode accomplishes nothing else, it will force Catholics to confront their priorities.

Any pro-abort politician running against a pro-life politician should NEVER get a Catholic's vote, PERIOD.

This may start a debate, but if both pols are pro-abort, as will apparently be the case in the PA Senate race, an examination of conscience would appear to be in order to determine whether non-voting or voting for the lesser of two evils is the moral thing to do. I would argue that a vote for Specter is at least a vote for the party that generally is pro-life, while not voting would give an advantage to his opponent. Given that a majority for the generally pro-life party hangs in the balance, I would argue that people of conscience could vote for Specter, but I would certainly not deign to criticize anyone who based on their conscience decides to abstain from voting in that race, or voting for a fringe candidate who has no chance.

[litany_of_lies]

Kissling can pretend to be a Catholic until someone excommunicates him.

Has that happened (doubt it)? WHY THE H*** NOT?

If it hasn't, it should happen immediately, based on his actions and comments in the last 90 days, let alone his track record over the years.

[Lawgvr1955]

New Jersey's largest statewide Fish Wrapper - that is for the guts that have been removed while preparing the fish!

Like most newspapers...its highest and best use is when it is used to line the bird cage.

[madprof98]

The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his support for abortion rights, winning several ovations from the group of community leaders and environmentalists who had gathered to hear him promote an environmental initiative.

Satan, too, applauded vigorously, noting that he strongly favors environmental rights for those who survive the abortion mills.

[JulieRNR21]

In 2002 I argued with my 80 year old Catholic priest (lifelong Dem from Boston)that he should vote for pro-life Gov. Jeb Bush rather than pro-abortion candidate Bill McBride. He told me that abortion was only 'one issue' and he was voting for McBride. I told him that he should 'go to Confession' if he voted for McBride.

This November I will remind him that 'his boss' the Pope said that Catholics should vote for pro-life candidates.

[Lawgvr1955]

And on the Sunday morning talk shows when this is discussed, the lib commentator will fail to grasp that this is not a separation of church and state issue, it is a religous issue. Like most organizations, the Catholic Church can set the rules for its members. If you don't wish to follow the rules, you can join a different organization. All the while you are free to take any political position you wish.

I think I will join PETA and start advocating eating meat. I wonder how much the media will run to my defense that I don't want PETA dictating my food choices. Or if I join the NAACP and oppose affirmative action. The media would not find it the least bit offensive that my membership was revoked. Yet when a voluntary organization with a religous tone takes action, the media and libs go nuts.

[Coleus]

NJ Bishop Smith blasts hypocrisy of ‘pro-choice’ Catholic politicians, Rebukes Gov. McGreevey

NJ Catholic Governor McGreevey disagrees with Vatican

McGreevey: Church wrong to dictate to Catholic politicians

Bishop: Gov. McGreevey cannot receive communion

The Newark Star Ledger Articles will be gone 14 days from date of article, Bergen Record one year.

Governor won't take Eucharist in public

McGreevey decides to skip communion

McGreevey vs. Newark Archbishop
Gov. won't back down on abortion

Governor Puts Communion Aside After Upsetting New Jersey Bishops

CATHOLIC PO LITICIANS AND ABORTION Catholic League

May 6, 2004
Archbishop's hard line should yield
NJ's highest-ranking Roman Catholic bishop tells us that "our times demand honesty."  Mike Kelly, liberal
kellym@northjersey.com

May 6, 2004
Gov. won't take public Communion
Governor McGreevey moved to avoid a public row with Newark Archbishop John J. Myers on Wednesday.

May 5, 2004
Are bishops unfairly targeting McGreevey?
ARE NEW JERSEY Catholic bishops ganging up on Governor McGreevey? First, Trenton Bishop John Smith said the governor can't call himself a devout Catholic because he supports abortion rights. Then last week Joseph Galante, the new bishop ...  schoonmaker@northjersey.com;  oped@northjersey.com

May 5, 2004
Your views
In August 2003, I turned 18 and received the privilege to vote. I voted in the November elections and also in the recent school board elections.

May 5, 2004
Myers' on abortion, Communion
Newark Archbishop Myers said Catholics who support abortion rights shouldn't seek Holy Communion.  Bill Pascrell on Abortion

May 4, 2004
Letters to the editor
Everybody |should love Heaton

May 1, 2004
Bishop would deny communion to Gov.
CAMDEN - On the eve of his installation as bishop, the incoming leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden declared that he would not serve Holy Communion to Governor McGreevey.

April 28, 2004
Politics and the church
AMERICAN POLITICIANS who are Roman Catholic but who support abortion rights are well-positioned to defend themselves against attacks by the Vatican and conservative bishops. In fact, the more direct the attacks, the stronger the reelect ...

Support abortion rights? Don't take Communion

[Coleus]

`

[Coleus]

Pushing church teachings, The Bergen Record of NJ Takes on the Catholic Church

Kerry reaffirms rights to Receive Holy Communion Paterson, NJ Bishop Rodimer Agrees

Teresa on the Stump, Teresa Heinz Kerry, from Mozambique, PRO-ABORTION Catholic, UN Employee, etc.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, Drummond Pike and the Communist TIDES FOUNDATION

Sign Petition: To  Excommunicate Pro-Abortion Kerry & McGreevey       Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition

Excommunicate Kerry Website        Catholics Against Kerry  Canon Law and Abortion 

A Primer on Canon 915 Can. 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion

Kerry, Candidate and Catholic, Creates Uneasiness for Church

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life

Faithful Citizenship:Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium
The Bible and homosexuality [Kerry thinks the bible is for homosexuality]
Kerry’s Dirty Deeds (How, pray tell, do they comport with religious belief
Vatican Worries About Kerry  John Kerry and Unborn Victims

Letter to the American Bishops
What's in a Name? (Kerry calls himself a Catholic?)

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS 

Living the Gospel of Life:A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States

The Gospel of Life--Evangelium Vitae

[rbmillerjr]

Wow - pretty big news, bump for further reading

[litany_of_lies]

I would suggest not waiting until November. Seems like it will take quite a while for the truth to get through his thick head, and to the extent he still has influence, tell others of his "remarkable discovery."

[Coleus]

McGreevey: Church wrong to dictate to Catholic politicians

James E. McGreevey - Governor's Email

Cardinal Egan: Pro-Abort Catholic Pols Are within Their "Rights" one of Herod's Heroes

Priests Should Refuse Communion to Kerry, Leading Catholic Says

The Kerry Files--America's Most Liberal Senator Exposed