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I think this falls under the "be careful what you ask for" category. What happens when some bishop somewhere in the world expands on this to forbid communion to politicians who support the war in Iraq? ...or to anyone speaking ill of their bishop? Will you be as supportive? Will you stop receiving communion? Not long ago to was almost impossible for a Catholic to get elected in this country because of the fear that they would be "taking orders from Rome." If the Vatican wins on this issue, it won't be the last marching order to elected officials. Do we really want some bishop in Italy or France or Germany tell our officials how to vote? On a separate topic---what Bible are these people reading to get these ideas? Jesus made a point of welcoming sinners; Judas was invited to the Last Supper. Using communion as a weapon is about as unchristian as you can get.

What happens when some bishop somewhere in the world expands on this to forbid communion to politicians who support the war in Iraq?

Opposing war in Iraq is not, has never been, and will never be Church doctrine.

Abortion is an unqualified evil. That is Church doctrine.

think this falls under the "be careful what you ask for" category. What happens when some bishop somewhere in the world expands on this to forbid communion to politicians who support the war in Iraq?

Good food for thought. Would be a good debate on Just War.

But here on 26 Apr 04, we are talking about Catholic elected officials who vote in favor of killing babies.

expands on this to forbid communion to politicians who support the war in Iraq? ...

That bishop will be slapped down immediately on canon law grounds. Nothing to worry about here.

Jesus made a point of welcoming sinners; Judas was invited to the Last Supper.

That was BEFORE Judas betrayed Him, NOT after.

Using communion as a weapon is about as unchristian as you can get.

Refusing to apply the spritual work of Mercy that is the refusal of the Eucharist to the hardened public sinner is as unchristian as you can get.

It leaves them with the false hope that they can continue their public grave sin without fear of temporal punishment (excommunication) or spiritual punishment, Eternal Damnation.

It is NOT an act of charity to contyinue to allow Kerry to receive. It is a statement by the USCCB that they don't give a damn if Kerry dies and goes to hell, just so long as their candidate and ideology wins and they aren't forced to make uncomfortable decisions and apply Church law as Rome instructs.

I think this falls under the "be careful what you ask for" category. What happens when some bishop somewhere in the world expands on this to forbid communion to politicians who support the war in Iraq? ...or to anyone speaking ill of their bishop? Will you be as supportive? Will you stop receiving communion? Not long ago to was almost impossible for a Catholic to get elected in this country because of the fear that they would be "taking orders from Rome." If the Vatican wins on this issue, it won't be the last marching order to elected officials. Do we really want some bishop in Italy or France or Germany tell our officials how to vote?

I agree with you here. A politician should be able to live a Christian lifestyle but not legislate Christianity. For example, a politician may believe masturbation is sin but not believe in passing a law against it.

On a separate topic---what Bible are these people reading to get these ideas? Jesus made a point of welcoming sinners; Judas was invited to the Last Supper. Using communion as a weapon is about as unchristian as you can get.

You are off-target here. Jesus called people to repentance, not to continue in their sins. And St. Paul indicates coming to the Lord's table unworthily has spiritual consequences. Communion should only be offered to those in good standing with the church. If someone is harboring sin they should abstain. If the clergy know of unrepented sin in someone's life, they should not offer communion to the person.

"Do we really want some bishop in Italy or France or Germany tell our officials how to vote?"

No I don't. But then they are not telling them how to vote, they are denying Communion to pro-abort politicians. The politicians of course can still vote however they want.

"Jesus made a point of welcoming sinners; Judas was invited to the Last Supper. Using communion as a weapon is about as unchristian as you can get."

Sure he did. But the thing is being pro-choice is a mortal sin. You can't go to Communion with a mortal sin on your soul. Small sins, yes you can go. In fact Communion forgives venial sins. But not mortal sins. This is an ancient precept.