Bishop: Gov. McGreevey cannot receive communion

AP | 4/30/04

[kattracks]

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — The incoming leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden has decided that Gov. James E. McGreevey cannot receive communion.

The Most Rev. Joseph Galante said Thursday that he was taking the stance primarily because the divorced governor, who is Catholic, remarried without receiving a church annulment. He also cited McGreevey's support of abortion rights, stem-cell research and other positions which contradict church views.

Galante, who was to be installed Friday during a Mass at St. Agnes Church in Blackwood, said he felt duty bound to take a hard line stance on the issue. He said the public becomes confused about church teachings when bishops fail to challenge Catholic politicians on their voting records.

When asked what would happen if McGreevey attended the installation ceremony and asked to receive communion, Galante said "I'd give him a blessing (instead). In his case, he can't go to communion."

Diocesan officials said McGreevey had told them he planned to attend the ceremony. But that was disputed by Micah Rasmussen, the governor's spokesman, who said McGreevey had never planned to appear at the Mass.

Rasmussen would not comment on Galante's decision, which comes just weeks after Trenton Bishop John Smith declared that McGreevey was "not a devout Catholic" because of his political record.

McGreevey, a former altar boy who attended parochial schools and goes to Mass, has said he considers himself to be devout. However, he believes he must follow his own conscience when making governmental decisions. He will not say whether he receives communion, calling it a personal matter.

[TheBigB]

McGreevey, a former altar boy who attended parochial schools and goes to Mass, has said he considers himself to be devout.

Whether or not you consider yourself to be devout isn't really the issue, Guv.

[MegaSilver]

McGreevey, a former altar boy who attended parochial schools and goes to Mass, has said he considers himself to be devout. However, he believes he must follow his own conscience when making governmental decisions.

Yeah, I'm "devout," but I follow a conscience other than that which God would have me follow.

He will not say whether he receives communion, calling it a personal matter.

Perhaps the governor would like to look up the etymology of the word "communion." I think he might be surprised.

[motzman]

The Most Rev. Joseph Galante said Thursday that he was taking the stance primarily because the divorced governor, who is Catholic, remarried without receiving a church annulment. He also cited McGreevey's support of abortion rights, stem-cell research and other positions which contradict church views.

Hmm..No mention of his same-sex attraction disorder. Well, I guess that point it would just be "piling on"...

[dead]

The Most Rev. Joseph Galante said Thursday that he was taking the stance primarily because the divorced governor, who is Catholic, remarried without receiving a church annulment. He also cited McGreevey's support of abortion rights, stem-cell research and other positions which contradict church views.

It was nice of the Rev to leave out the “practicing homosexual” stuff.

Officially, we’re still not supposed to know about that.

[hobbes1]

It was nice of the Rev to leave out the “practicing homosexual” stuff.

ROTFLMAO, OUTLOUD IN MY OFC....

[NeoCaveman]

Galante, who was to be installed Friday during a Mass at St. Agnes Church in Blackwood, said he felt duty bound to take a hard line stance on the issue. He said the public becomes confused about church teachings when bishops fail to challenge Catholic politicians on their voting records.

I like this new bishop already.

[NeoCaveman]

Pings.

[Arthur McGowan]

Good point. The Sacraments are PUBLIC actions. The liturgy is PUBLIC business.

[kellynla]

Well, well, well...it's only taken over thirty years but it appears that the Catholic Church has finally taken the abortion fight to the pro-abortion Catholic politicians!!!

Looks like CINO politicians will have to decide whether they are practicing Catholics or hypocrites!

[BroncosFan]

Thanks y'all for getting that out (pun intended). It was an "open" secret in Woodbridge for years and has got to be the underlying reason the normally tame Catholic clergy is hitting Dandy Jim so hard. Some of those Woodbridge stories . . .

[In_25_words_or_less]

When a Catholic is banned from taking communion, what exactly are the eternal ramifications according to Catholic beliefs? Does it mean hell for the bannee? Longer in purgatory?

[Labyrinthos]

Hmm..No mention of his same-sex attraction disorder. Well, I guess that point it would just be "piling on"...

I haven't heard that MaGreevy is a switch hitter. Maybe we should call him "McQueery."

[kassie]

Whether or not you consider yourself to be devout isn't really the issue, Guv.

Exactly!

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Communion should never be taken lightly and I'm glad the Catholic Church is standing up.

[motzman]

I haven't heard that MaGreevy is a switch hitter. Maybe we should call him "McQueery."

I heard it on good authority from a friend in Woodbridge, plus freeper "dead" has confirmed the rumor, so it's a rock-solid fact in my book ;)

[motzman]

Hup, another confirmation (no pun intended) from BroncosFan! It's official, McSkeevy is Queer-Bait!

[BroncosFan]

Check out the circumstances surrounding his first divorce. The end result: he can basically never see the kids and she got to take them out of the country for keeps in return for signing a confidentiality agreement. Now, that's just one piece of the puzzle. But, as an attorney, I can say -- that don't happen too often!

[Labyrinthos]

McGreevey, a former altar boy who attended parochial schools and goes to Mass, has said he considers himself to be devout. However, he believes he must follow his own conscience when making governmental decisions.

That's fine, but when are people going to learn that the Catholic Church is not and does not pretend to be a democracy. The church has very specific rules and tenants and if you don't like them or if you openly advocate conduct that is adverse to the Church's teachings, then join another church that is in more in tune with your lifestyle, like the Unitarians. But don't tell the Church it is wrong and that you're going to receive communion anyway. In my situation, I don't do confession, so I don't do communion. I'm also divorced. I'd like to receive communion, but I'm not so arrogant to make the church bend the rules for lil' ol' me.

[NYer]

He said the public becomes confused about church teachings when bishops fail to challenge Catholic politicians on their voting records.

And the bishops are finally responding to the groundswell of catholics who look to them for leadership!

“God comes first, then my family and then this job,” .... Senator Rick Santorum on integrating faith with his work.

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