Posted on 05/22/2021 7:47:47 AM PDT by ebb tide
GALLUP, N.M. (ChurchMilitant.com) - A New Mexico prelate is protecting brother bishops who believe pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be denied Holy Communion.
In an article for First Things on Tuesday, Bp. James Wall of the diocese of Gallup rebuked San Diego bishop Robert McElroy — ripping his essay that argued pro-life bishops are politically motivated and weaponizing the Eucharist.
Bishop Wall wrote:
But while I don't presume to know what's in the mind and heart of my brother bishops, I am not motivated by political ends, nor are those with whom I have discussed the subject. Our concern is not political but pastoral; it is for the salvation of souls. This issue has political ramifications, but that is not an excuse to shy away at this crucial moment.
Wall also reminded his brother bishop that protecting so-called unity is not the be-all-end-all of the Church:
Jesus prayed that Christians might all be one (John 17:21), and this is an obligation we must all take seriously. Yet he also said, "Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" (Luke 12:51). Speaking the truth at times appears to create division, but often it simply exposes the division that already exists.
His rebuke didn't end there. The prelate continued by shredding McElroy's accusation that bishops are creating an "extremely expansive" litmus test for anti-life politicians:
Canon law states, "A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession" (CIC 916). As abortion is one of the few sins that carries an automatic excommunication (see CIC 1398), there is no doubt that a politician who actively protects abortion and strives to make it more accessible also risks his or her salvation. It surely is not "expansive" to put this evil in the category of grave sin.
Bishop Wall ended his article with a question, which he believes bishops like McElroy should be asking themselves: "Have I done absolutely everything I can as a bishop to try to bring all pro-abortion Catholic politicians in my flock back into a state of grace?"
This cascade of disagreement among U.S. bishops began on May 1, after San Francisco's Abp. Salvatore Cordileone published his pastoral letter, "Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You" — begging pro-abortion politicians to, "please stop the killing."
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Cordileone exhorted, "You have the power to affect societal practices and attitudes. Always remember that you will one day have to render an account to God for your stewardship of this trust."
A couple of bishops responded favorably to the piece — joining the push to protect the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion.
Have I done absolutely everything I can as a bishop to try to bring all pro-abortion Catholic politicians in my flock back into a state of grace?GabTweet
Wisconsin's Bp. Donald J. Hying of the Madison diocese plugged Cordileone's letter on a local Catholic news site May 7. Three days prior, Bp. Robert F. Vasa of the Santa Rosa diocese recommended his faithful read it, prayerfully asking for the conversion of pro-abortion Catholic politicians.
Even with the support of other pro-life prelates, Bp. Wall's piece specifically introduces a new dimension to the Holy Communion debate.
He isn't just calling out pro-abortion politicians like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. He's reminding McElroy, and other bishops responsible for guiding these people to the truth, that there is a duty to save these politicians' souls and the lives of the unborn.
Ping
Bishop Wall was my pastor in my Phoenix parish and he is without a doubt one of the most wonderful priests I have ever known. Anyone that has ever known Bishop Wall from his earlier days as a parish priest knows he has always been a strong advocate for life. God Bless Bishop Wall - we need many more just like him!
MPCA - Make the Pope Catholic Again.
The first sentence doesn’t fit with the rest of the article.
The bishops who believe in God VS the bishops who don’t.
Sure it does.
The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals and bishops against other bishops. ... The Church will be full of those who accept compromises, and the devil will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.
Our Lady of Akita; October 13, 1973
This “open debate” did not begin on May 1. It began years ago!
Bishop Poprocki in 2019 instructed his priests to deny Communion to politicians that advocate abortion.
It accelerated when later that year a priest in South Carolina actually denied Biden Communion.
The matter has been fermenting in pro-life circles for 10 years since Judie Brown made Canon 915 an issue for the bishops.
FYI: USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities...
See the various prolife efforts of the US Catholic bishops and sign up for their prolife alerts, if you like.
The USCCB: Stooges for the Democratic Party
It’s Official: The USCCB is COMPLICIT in the Evil Acts of CRS
You’re right; I read it wrong.
I would assume “to leave the service of the Lord” means leaving the Catholic Church, but currently, they are preaching/talking against the word of G-d.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.