Posted on 04/19/2008 12:30:24 PM PDT by BGHater
Twice-divorced former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani took Communion at a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict on Saturday, breaching rules that bar those who remarry outside the Church from doing so.
As he left New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral with his third wife, Judith, the failed presidential candidate confirmed to Reuters that he took Communion from a priest.
Asked if he was uncomfortable with having broken the Church ban on the divorced and remarried taking Communion, Giuliani said, "No."
The Church does not recognize divorce and teaches that divorced Catholics are still married to their earlier partner unless the Church grants them an annulment, or ruling that the initial marriage was invalid.
Giuliani unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for the White House this year. As New York mayor, he rose to prominence after the September 11 attacks, when he was hailed for his leadership during the crisis.
Despite his Catholic faith, Giuliani has espoused socially liberal political positions such as backing a woman's right to choose an abortion and supporting gay rights.
Last year Pope Benedict reaffirmed that Catholics who divorce and remarry cannot receive Communion unless they abstain from sexual relations with their new partner.
But U.S. clergy tend to leave it up to individual parishioners who are divorced to refrain from taking Communion instead of excluding them from the sacred rite.
Catholics believe that during Mass, the Communion host and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
At Saturday's Mass, the pope consecrated bread and wine that was distributed to the congregation by other priests. Giuliani did not take Communion from the pope himself.
During the presidential campaign, Giuliani said he had some "very, very strong views on religion" that come from him having wanted to be a priest when he was younger and studying theology for four years in college.
Among other politicians who attended the Mass was current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish.
They need the Grace of Our Lord as much as any of us. Perhaps more.
I am not a Catholic!! AND how would you know if I go to church at all. You don’t . And if I don’t that would not mean that I am not a Christian. Seems to me that you are the one with a problem. I will say though that the subject we are talking about is just one of the reasons I am NOT a Catholic. Nothing wrong with Catholics, but some of their idiotic rules are not for all. That, not making them less Christians, just less freedom. It’s their choice. No skin off my butt one way or another.
“no church should deny anyone the right to communion.”
Bible says different.
The symbolic act of taking communion, “This is My body and this is My blood, eat and drink in remembrance of Me,” should not be denied to anyone by Man. My opinion and I’m not Catholic but a good ole Baptist boy from the South.
I know what ya mean, not my windmill, to each his own.
Will someone please straighten me out.
My understanding is that if a Catholic divorces and remarries(without an annulment); they are not supposed to receive Holy Communion; and priests and/or Eucharistic ministers who KNOW this are NOT supposed to give such individuals Holy Communion.
Is there something I am missing here?
I was the third in line for Confession this afternoon.
You can call and make special arrangements for Confession at our parish but I dont think many do that.
Very sad.
Call a priest,
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.
Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.
“Call a priest?”
Oh thanks...you’re a BIG help! LMAO
Where and when?
We most certainly do.
The commandment ‘Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in Vain’ does not refer to profanity, aka GD, but literally using Christianity as a vanity/photo-op, that is glomming something you don’t really believe in, but need the cred from.
Same as it ever was.
kellynla,Trust me call a local priest .You are very close and my prayers are with you.You want a number brat I can give you a number in freepmail only.
Then by all means quit the public display of your ignorance and leave the thread.
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