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Withholding Communion: Compassion, Not Punishment
American Thinker.com ^ | June 27, 2021 | Sylvia M. Oberding

Posted on 06/27/2021 4:45:04 AM PDT by Kaslin

Recently, Steven Colbert talked about the U.S. Catholic bishops denying communion to Catholic politicians as “punishment.” Many recent headlines use the word “denying” in reference to the U.S. Catholic Bishops, communion, and Catholic politicians supporting issues that go against Church teachings, namely abortion rights. Perhaps a better word is “withholding.” Withholding communion is a most compassionate act and showers these politicians with the utmost pastoral care and provides them the opportunity to model exemplary leadership. Likewise, withholding communion demonstrates true pastoral concern on the part of pastors, priests, and bishops.

As Christians, we are called to live out our faith in every facet of our lives. We are also called to go and make disciples of all nations; that is, we are called to evangelize no matter what our state or position in life. Regular prayer and reflection help us to root out those areas where we are not allowing our faith to permeate. Our pastors, priests, and bishops accompany and guide us on that journey.

We have politicians who publicly profess their Catholic faith and at the same time, publicly profess their support for abortion rights because they don’t want to “impose” their faith on others. As public leaders, the message they communicate to their fellow believers as well as all their constituents is that our faith and convictions must be kept to ourselves, that these are not to inform our public decisions for the good of society. These same politicians then go to Mass, receive Communion, and all is well, except, it’s not.

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, states “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 06/27/2021 4:45:04 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Yes,I can see it as “be careful,you’ll be meeting The Creator soon”.


2 posted on 06/27/2021 4:50:43 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Trump: "They're After You. I'm Just In The Way")
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To: Kaslin

This is why government is to stay out of the “business” of the Church....following Christ is not a profunctory proclamation it’s in obedience and understanding of his mercy and grace.


3 posted on 06/27/2021 4:53:06 AM PDT by mikelets456
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To: Kaslin

What? Decarbonization is EASY!

Just convert the energy generation plants to run on electricity! Like their Volts and Teslas!

Problem solved!


4 posted on 06/27/2021 4:55:51 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (The left does not want dialogue; it wants compliance.)
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To: freedumb2003

Wrong thread!


5 posted on 06/27/2021 4:56:53 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (The left does not want dialogue; it wants compliance.)
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To: Kaslin

Didn’t the church once excommunicate entire nations when they had unChristian leaders? Denying anyone salvation until the government was changed.

Considering how many Catholics vote for Dems, that seems like the policy that would create real change.


6 posted on 06/27/2021 5:03:18 AM PDT by Renfrew
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To: mikelets456

Canon Law states that such a person excommunicates himself.

If thee Bishops follow through, the act would be in harmony with teaching those who are in grave spiritual danger.

Note that this is a guideline for Bishops to follow, not a requirement. It will be left up to the local Bishop.

A big step in the right direction.


7 posted on 06/27/2021 5:30:51 AM PDT by rbmillerjr
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To: Kaslin
Steve Colbert is a fool. The Scriptures teach the father's responsibility to train his children and discipline them when needed. Ignoring this means the father hates his children. God defined marriage as the best way to raise children. Every parent runs into situations that exasperate them, and that is where the spouse helps to bring clear thinking and reasoning in the approach to disciplining the children.
8 posted on 06/27/2021 5:40:29 AM PDT by RetiredScientist
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To: Kaslin

Punishment is a form of charity. Otherwise God was not acting out of love when he punished the Israelite.


9 posted on 06/27/2021 5:40:29 AM PDT by Bayard
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To: Kaslin

This is also why celebs who pronounce in tv interviews that they don’t go to Mass - not going to Mass every Sunday and receiving the Eucharist is a mortal sin- mortal - should be talking about the church

It is about the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the Body of Christ-whether people believe it or not

You can’t give the Eucharist to a public figure who signs his name to pro abortion legislation who has not renounced his position. It is abetting a mortal sin.

Period

The bishops are stalling in their statement to give cover to people who wish to not give Biden pelosi etc communion

Is is a simple answer/problem. These people have choices. They choose public mortal sin

WWJD? He’d tell us to quit debasing the eucharist. He said he did not come to bring peace.


10 posted on 06/27/2021 7:12:56 AM PDT by stanne
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To: stanne

“This is also why CATHOLIC celebs who pronounce in tv interviews that they don’t go to Mass - not going to Mass every Sunday and receiving the Eucharist is a mortal sin FOR CATHOLICS-mortal - should be talking about the church“

Catholics are simply defined as those who have received Baptism in the Catholic Church. Colbert says he is one. Biden as well


11 posted on 06/27/2021 7:16:53 AM PDT by stanne
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To: freedumb2003

Wrong thread

“”””””””””””””””””””

Sounded ok to me
but whadda I know.


12 posted on 06/27/2021 5:07:52 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (The China virus doesn't scare me, Venezuelaism does.)
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