Posted on 05/19/2017 9:14:28 PM PDT by ebb tide
MONTREAL, May 19, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) Archbishop of Montreal Christian Lépine has defended giving Holy Communion to Canadas notoriously pro-abortion Catholic prime minister during Mass on Wednesday, describing it as a gesture of hope.
Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received Holy Communion and was among the dignitaries who spoke from the sanctuary at a Mass marking Montreals 375th anniversary, and which CBC broadcast live from Notre Dame Cathedral.
Cardinal Gérald Lacroix of Quebec City, Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, and papal nuncio Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi were among the prelates who concelebrated with Lépine.
The event was widely publicized, with the Catholic Register running a photo on its Facebook page. Video of the Mass was also archived on CPAC.
The Churchs Code of Canon Law requires ministers of the Eucharist to deny Communion to those who are excommunicated or are obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin. This law is based in St. Pauls teaching in 1 Corinthians 11:29: Any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, affirmed in a 2004 letter from the Vatican that this law applies to pro-abortion politicians.
The Church views denying Communion in these cases as an act of compassion. It is intended both to protect the individual from committing the sacrilege of consuming the Host while in a state of grave sin, and to avoid the scandal of appearing to show approval for the individuals gravely sinful actions.
Justin Trudeau is a paradigm example of a high-profile, apostate Catholic who should be denied Communion, Georges Buscemi, president of the Quebec Life Coalition, told LifeSiteNews.
It stands to reason that a politician like him, who makes it his life purpose to destroy the Catholic faith and knowledge of the natural moral law in Canada, should be asked to not present himself for Communion, Buscemi said.
This should be done out of love for him and the ones who would be scandalized by seeing his evil behaviour affirmed by a bishop.
Archbishop Lépines appointment to the see of Montreal in 2012 was seen as a sign of hope for the Church in Quebec. His deep devotion to the Church's teachings and practices were a marked contrast with his predecessor.
His appointment came amid outcries from abortion activists. Yet he has gladly affirmed the Churchs teachings on life, marriage, and sexuality. He has led Eucharistic processions as a sign of contradiction through the heart of the once-Catholic city. For the first time, the Archbishop of Montreal has made it a practice to attend Ottawas National March for Life.
In 2012, Buscemis Quebec Life Coalition gave him a Defender of Life award as a token of what he has done for Life and Family in the past, and as a sign of our support for all his future projects in defense of life and the family.
Archbishop Lépine told LifeSiteNews on Thursday that he gave Trudeau Holy Communion as a gesture of hope and to keep in contact and how to keep a bridge open, if I may say so.
Theres a need to make the distinction between the human being and what the person does, or says or thinks, and to stay focused on who the person is, a human being called by Christ, called to true freedom, he said in a telephone call from Montreal.
I think one of the difficulties is that we live in a dialectic of opposition, pressure groups against pressure groups, way of thinkings against way of thinking, but behind that were all human beings so Im trying to reach that level.
LifeSiteNews asked Lépine if he had attempted to meet with Trudeau before the Mass to speak to him about his pro-abortion position.
The archbishop responded that private communications were private, and added that publicly, theres a need for communication, and theres been communication, but there are many forces going on in society, so yet again, its a matter of hope.
When asked how he would respond to those who see this as a sacrilege, Lépine again pointed to the distinction between the person and the acts of the person and what the person says.
Its going too far if someone feels to be rejected as a person, he told LifeSiteNews.
Its how to discuss what is said or what is done without rejecting the person as a person and how to do it. So this is a challenge, thats what I try to do.
As for causing scandal, Lépine countered that it can cause scandal to the faithful if you cut someone.
He reiterated that the distinction must be made between the person and what that person does or says or thinks.and that you dont lose sight that its a human being created in the image of God.
Lépine said efforts are underway to establish contact with Trudeau. The call is happening, but if you want to call, you have to be connected, you have to meet somewhere.
The Catholic Church teaches that abortion the deliberate and intended killing of the child in the womb is a grave sin and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
It is well known that Trudeau has persistently and unapologetically promoted abortion throughout his political career.
Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say championing a womans right to choose abortion, which he erroneously insists is a Charter right, is Trudeaus defining political position.
In 2014 as Liberal leader, Trudeau banned anyone with pro-life convictions from running as a Liberal Party candidate.
As prime minister, he has pushed for access to abortion on Prince Edward Island, given $20 million to the Dutch global abortion fund She Decides, and earmarked $650 million over three years to promote and provide abortion as part of Canadas aid to developing countries.
Moreover, his public utterances in support of abortion are legion.
Trudeau also publicly opposes Catholic Church teaching on homosexuality, supports gender ideology, and passed legislation approving euthanasia.
As Wednesday was also "International Day Against Transphobia, Biphobia and Homophobia," Trudeau wore rainbow socks to honour the event, as CTVs Cindy Sherwin tweeted:
During his address from the Cathedral sanctuary, Trudeau said: Montrealers, more than anyone, know that our diversity is our strength. This Mass is a testament to that.
Jim Hughes, president of Campaign Life Coalition, says that Trudeau receiving Holy Communion is a sacrilege.
Its very disappointing that Trudeau once again presents himself as a faithful Catholic when in fact, hes a wolf in sheeps clothing, and instead of protecting the lambs he devours them, he told LifeSiteNews.
Its doubly concerning to our Catholic supporters and others in the various faith communities that he shows such disrespect, and the Catholic Church does nothing to prevent this blasphemy.
Cardinal Ratzingers 2004 letter set out norms for reception of Holy Communion and applied them specifically to cases such as Trudeau.
It states in part:
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).
Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a persons 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 Churchs 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.
Buscemi pointed out that Pope Francis himself, while archbishop of Buenos Aires, endorsed the Latin American bishops Aparecida document, which contained this statement:
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.
When Trudeau issued his 2014 edict banning pro-life candidates from the Liberal Party, Ottawas Archbishop Terrence Prendergast responded with a public statement.
A person who takes a position in contradiction to the teaching of the Catholic Church on the value and dignity of human life from the moment of conception to the moment of a natural death, and persists in this belief, is not in communion with the Churchs values and teaching, it read.
However, Prendergast told the Catholic Register at the time that he would not refuse Trudeau Holy Communion unless he met with him first.
I dont think you can make a judgment about someones faith position simply by what is said in the public, he said. There needs to be a meeting with myself, or with his parish priest, a priest who is in harmony with the Churchs teachings.
Bishop Christian Reisbeck, Ottawas auxiliary bishop, told LifeSiteNews at the time that if attempts at fraternal correction had failed, a pro-abortion politician could be denied Holy Communion under Canon 915.
Out of concern for safeguarding the reverence that is due Our Lord in the Eucharist, and to avoid scandal, one could possibly apply this norm even in the case of a pro-abortion Catholic politician who is extremely vocal about his position.
Trudeau heaps condemnation on his soul, while the Bishop is in deep need of prayer, and a reminder that misplaced compassion leads souls to Hell.
Very sad to see this.
The Catholic Church seems to be rotting from the head down. I am heartbroken for my Catholic friends. It was the Catholic Church that was tha vanguard in the Pro-life movement. Sad.
This is a Catholic caucus thread. Please respect the forum rules.
The bishop commits a mortal sin also.
I dont think you can make a judgment about someones faith position simply by what is said in the public, he said.
Whaaa??
Disgraceful
EVERY time a minister of Communion disobeys Canon 915, it is grave matter.
All but about ten bishops in the U.S. give Communion to pro-aborts.
Sad, very sad.
The modern day Catholic Church, especially under the current Satanic Pope, would give sacrament to the devil as long as he is liberal.
Next thing you know, the Archbishop will be blessing abortion tools.
Sad.
Regards,
Giving public scandal was once a serious sin. Today, we have defined scandal downwards to the point that the term itself is obsolete. Indeed, public scandal has become a way of attracting viewers, readers, listeners, that it has become a marketing technique. The wrecking ball culture has affected our Church.
Courage, said Churchill, is the first of all virtues. Many Bishops have lost this or never had it from the start. We need a new BXVI renewal that brings back fidelity to Church teachings and norms.
I think St. Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians comes to mind with this travesty of a church they have in Montreal.
Prince George, while visiting Canada with his parents, refused to shake hands with Trudeau....’a child can discern evil better than adults’. Smart child.
Imho the catholic church is in a sad stste of affairs.
The current pope would be in agreement. What matters is giving away the country to “immigrants,” not upholding Church doctrine.
The bishop acted stupidly.
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