Bishop cautions politicians

The Arizona Republic | June 10, 2004 | Michael Clancy

[Phx_RC]

Catholic politicians who unambiguously support a woman's right to choose should not receive communion, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said Wednesday. But he declined to say he would deny communion to politicians who do not follow church teaching on abortion.

Asked directly about what he would do if Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic candidate for president who is a Catholic and supports abortion rights, came to him for communion, the leader of the Diocese of Phoenix said, "I would hope that would not happen."

"If he asked about it," he said, "I would tell him he should not receive communion."

[Read the complete article.]

[Phx_RC]

Bishop Olmsted met with the Arizona Republic editorial board on June 10, 2004. Link to the complete article

The good holy Bishop indicated that "there could be a stage where we go farther". I believe that he is gently but firmly instructing all catholics including politicians what Catholic Truth in these matters really is. We need to remember that most Catholics have not been taught their Faith in recent (40+-) years.

Bishop Olmsted is firmly moving forward in this opportunity to teach catholics and others what it is and means to be Catholic. Expect Truth to be taught at each step along the way.

He will act as God expects of him and in a manner as befits his office for which he has great respect.

Bishop Olmsted is leading his flock with serene courage toward holiness.
He invites us to follow.

[Saint Athanasius]

i think a lot people forget that we are calling people to repent of their sin... this is why we deny Eucharist... not to condemn them... the act of denying Eucharist is actually a merciful act... some people around here forget that...

i totally support the bishop.

[sinkspur]

Bishop Olmsted met with the Arizona Republic editorial board on June 10, 2004

He met with them before 10:00 Phoenix time, and it's already up on the AZR website?

Wow. Pretty quick.

[Phx_RC]

oops, it was Wednesday June 9, 2004.
Thank you.

[NYer]

Bishop Olmstead is taking this one step at a time, progressively moving forward. May God guide his steps.

[johnb2004]

I am very happy to read about this good bishop. I guess we have to be grateful whenever a bishop does as he should. The fact this is making the press only shows how far we have fallen from the truth.

[BobCNY]

" We need to remember that most Catholics have not been taught their Faith in recent (40+-) years."

First I would like to say that I like the words of your Bishop. Now for the infamous but, but I would also like to point out your comment on the 40 years does not cover most politicians who are in their 60's.

You are not the first person that has made this same type of justification for politicians and my fellow Catholics.

Most federal politicians or other Catholics over 50 years of age would have been educated as children and young adults in the late 1940's to 1950's (all pre-Vatican II). I guess I am saying that ignorance is not bliss and as to the issue of abortion, no one claiming to be Catholic with a well formed conscience can view it as anything but murder.

This is even recognized by my 8th and 9th grade CCD students I teach at my parish. But then again they have not sold their souls to the aborion lobby either.

[maryz]

Most federal politicians or other Catholics over 50 years of age would have been educated as children and young adults in the late 1940's to 1950's (all pre-Vatican II).

There's a quote of Samuel Johnson's I've always liked: "Mankind needs not so much to be instructed as reminded."

[broadsword]

Really! The headline should read: A Catholic Bishop is Actually CATHOLIC! The Faithful are Thrown into Mass Confusion.

[Romish_Papist]

I wish we had a Bishop with such courage and yes, stones, here in Virginia.

[Desdemona]

One by one it's happening. The bishops are becoming more orthodox.

[Phx_RC]

ping.