Cardinal Arinze Reiterates - for the N'th Time - No Communion for Pro-Abort Politicians

LifeSite ^ | July 25, 2005

[NYer]

PITTSBURGH, July 25, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - According to Francis Cardinal Arinze, the Vatican's chief over the administration of the sacraments, the denial of Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians is a no-brainer. Speaking at a dinner in Pittsburgh over the weekend, Arinze responded with his usual wit to the question, "Should Catholic legislators who support legal abortion 'be refused' Communion?"

The Cardinal elicited laughter when he rejoined, "I ask you, do you really need a cardinal from the Vatican to find the answer?"

He quipped, "Are there no children from First Communion to whom you can pose the question and receive the answer? You do not need a cardinal to answer that. Because it is a straightforward matter." In the Catholic Church, children are prepared to receive the Sacrament at the age of approximately seven years.

The Cardinal, moreover, is speaking not from his personal opinion but from the Church's Code of Canon Law which states, "Those who…obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."

Apparently, however, the bishops do need a Vatican Cardinal to tell them. The US and Canadian bishops, with only a handful of exceptions, far from endorsing this requirement of the Church law, have evaded the issue or remained silent. Cardinal McCarrick of Washington, soon to retire, went so far as to withhold from the meeting of the US bishops' conference, the pertinent section of a letter by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, (CDF) in which he said such legislators "must be refused" communion.

Cardinal Arinze is the Vatican's Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Sacraments, is the third highest authority in the Church matters pertaining to the sacraments, after the Pope and the current head of the CDF. He spoke at a benefit dinner hosted by a lay group, the Apostolate for Family Consecration.

In book-length interview with journalist Peter Seewald, the future Pope Benedict XVI said of bishops whose first instinct is to avoid conflicts, "Peace is not the first civic duty, and a bishop whose only concern is not to have any problems and to gloss over as many conflicts as possible is an image I find repulsive."

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Since Denver Meeting Divisions Between US Bishops on Communion Issue Continue to Surface http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jul/04071210.html

Read coverage in Post Gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05206/543242.stm

[NYer]

[siunevada]

the denial of Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians is a no-brainer.

Yes. But. What does that really mean?

I think we have a few no-brainers running dioceses, don't we?

[annalex]

I wish Cardinal Arinze should avoid the folksy tone and speak in plain language to the amchurch liers. It is very naive of him to think that his rhetorical question in lieu of an answer will have any positive effect.

Expect the American bishops to say:

-- Cardinal Arinze had two opportunities to condemn giving communion to deathist politicians, and he declined to do so two times.

-- But, but, he said "children form the first Communion would know the answer"!

-- Show me a quote where Cardinal Arinze condemns the practice. Thank you, case closed.

[Campion]

In book-length interview with journalist Peter Seewald, the future Pope Benedict XVI said of bishops whose first instinct is to avoid conflicts, "Peace is not the first civic duty, and a bishop whose only concern is not to have any problems and to gloss over as many conflicts as possible is an image I find repulsive."

Pope finds 85% of American bishops 'repulsive' -- film at 11

[eastsider]

"Peace is not the first civic duty, and a bishop whose only concern is not to have any problems and to gloss over as many conflicts as possible is an image I find repulsive."

Benedict!

[siunevada]

Pope finds 85% of American bishops 'repulsive'

Now THAT'S a headline. I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting for the media to write the story. They're too busy with womyn 'priests' for the moment.

[Rutles4Ever]

"Roger Mahoney, please report to the principal's office."

[patent]

>>>It is very naive of him to think that his rhetorical question in lieu of an answer will have any positive effect.

I'm beginning to wonder. Has he stated it clearly elsewhere? Isn't this the second time he's given this indirect response? I'm wondering if he is simply hesitant to speak directly about American politics, as he fears that screeches about the Vatican interferring in politics?

If not, why won't he state it clearly.

patent

[B Knotts]

Exactly. As has been pointed out elsewhere, the problem with his statement is that few, if any, politicians will take the position that they want abortions to occur.

They will take the weasely position of personally opposing abortion, but also opposing the legal prohibition thereof.

So, His Eminence would do us all a great favor by answering the question in a way that addresses that.

[B Knotts]

ROFL...I had heard that one before, but it's a good one.

[FatherofFive]

"Those who…obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."

This also applies to:
1. Divorced and remarried
2. Homosexuals
3. Those using birth control

Many American Catholics won't be happy.

[annalex]

Has he stated it clearly elsewhere?

Not to my knowledge. On the other hand, it is at least the second time he answers with an evasion like this. The other time I remember was in his interview with World Over Live with Raymond Arroyo earlier this year.

He should know better. In particular, given the all-out assault on the freedom of religion in America, it would help if he were not acting intimidated in stating clearly what is an internal church matter.

[NYer]

I'm beginning to wonder.

"During the press conference Cardinal Arinze was asked about U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry, a Catholic, who causes scandal by receiving Communion despite his pro-abortion stand. Asked if Kerry should be refused Communion, Arinze responded, "The norm of the church is clear. The Catholic Church exists in the United States and there are bishops there. Let them interpret it."

When pressed on such "unambigiously pro-abortion" Catholic politicians, Arinze said such a politician "is not fit" to receive communion. "If they should not receive, then they should not be given," he said.

Vatican Cardinal Arinze Says Pro-Abortion Politicians Must be Denied Holy Communion

[conservonator]

Many American Catholics won't be happy.

I agree, but then again, a Bishops job isn't to make us happy. How many of these men are going to suffer, eternally or not, along with those whom they let fall due to their weak or lukewarm attitude to their calling. My kids sure aren't happy with me a lot, but I'm pretty sure that they will reap the benefits of having a father rather than a buddy some day.

[escapefromboston]

Are there no children from First Communion to whom you can pose the question and receive the answer?


HA! That was pretty funny.

[DBeers]

2. Homosexuals

Sexually Active Homosexuals...

Homosexuality is a disorder NOT a sin... Sodomy on the other hand...

[DBeers]

1. Divorced and remarried

LOL -you swipe a broad brush -why?

Should be those not divorced for legitimate reason and those remarried without a previous marriage declared null -in otherwords, ADULTERERS