New Jersey Governor, at Odds With Church Over Abortion Rights, Says He Won't Receive Communion

TBO.com ^ | 5/4/05

[FBDinNJ]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. James E. McGreevey, at odds with the Roman Catholic Church over his support for abortion rights, said Wednesday he will honor the wishes of the Newark archbishop and not receive communion.

Archbishop John J. Myers said in a statement that abortion rights supporters should not seek communion when they attend Mass. Myers stopped short of saying that priests would refuse to serve it to Catholics who disagree with the church's position.

"With abortion, there can be no legitimate diversity of opinion," Myers wrote in Wednesday's Catholic Advocate newspaper. "The direct killing of the innocent is always a grave injustice."

While some church officials have challenged McGreevey and other Catholic politicians, including presidential candidate John Kerry, over their support for abortion rights, Myers' statement did not name any officials.

At a news conference Wednesday, McGreevey said he respectfully disagrees with the archbishop but will honor his request and not receive communion.

The governor said he is committed to both his Catholic faith and his pro-choice stance on abortion and believes strongly in the separation of church and state.

"I believe it's a false choice in America between one's faith and constitutional obligation," McGreevey said.

AP-ES-05-05-04 1609EDT

[old and tired]

Is he a demo-rat?

Naturally. Although the establishment Republicans in New Jersey are pretty much pro-abortion (think Christy Todd Whitman).