EGAN BLASTS RUDY FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION

NY Post ^ | April 28, 2008

[NYer]

April 28, 2008 --

NEW YORK - New York Cardinal Edward Egan says Rudy Giuliani should not have received Holy Communion during the pope's visit because he supports abortion rights.

Egan says he had "an understanding" with the former presidential candidate and New York mayor that he is not to receive the Eucharist. The Catholic Church teaches "that abortion is a grave offense against the will of God."

The cardinal says Giuliani broke that understanding when he received the Eucharist during Pope Benedict XVI's visit.

Egan says he will be seeking a meeting with Giuliani "to insist that he abide by our understanding."

Giuliani's spokeswoman, Sunny Mindel, said Monday that he is willing to meet with the cardinal but added that his faith "is a deeply personal matter."

Egan's statement does not address the fact that Giuliani is on his third marriage.

[mware]

What about the priest that gave communion to Giuliani, the public adulterer???

During scripture study last week I asked my priest about this. He said it would be difficult for the priest to determine if the person in question had already spoken with a priest and had received absolution, prior to attending the mass.

It falls on the individual to determine if they are in a state of grace to receive communion.

They excommunicate themselves by their action.

[NeoCaveman]

Giuliani’s faith is so personal, he won’t even enforce it on himself.

It's funny because it is true.

[cubreporter]

“Tough Love” is difficult, and priests (bishops,pastors,etc) are human, also, and have a desire to be liked. At times, that desire leads to a failure to condemn the sin in a sinner, and to demand proper actions thereafter.

???????????????????????????????????????? fAILURE TO CONDEMN THE SIN IN A SINNER and TO DEMAND PROPER ACTIONS THEREAFTER. Good Lord help us all.

[livius]

It certainly could be. That and the influence of BXVI, who I think is getting tired of being ignored by the bishops.

[Liz]

My problem with this——Egan’s lashing out could cause Giuliani to become a “victim of a judgemental church.”

Rooty sorely needs something like this to get back into campaign mode.....the PP, NARAL types, and virulent Catholic haters will be pouring money into his campaign warchest.

[NYer]

Actually, as I recall....Kennedy stayed behind in his pew. But...it showed kerry and teresa in line. I didn’t see Pelosi but the reports were that she received.

That was the Papal Mass at Nationals Stadium in DC. Giuliani took communion at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NY.

[NYer]

It’s amazing...simply amazing. And...I am a cradle Catholie born, bred and will die a Catholic. However, the church leaves a lot to be desired. One parish says this and another parish says that. We’re supposed to be ONE.

It is one Church ... in fact, there are 22 Churches that make up the one Church.

And you, as a Roman Catholic may attend Mass at any one of those 22 Churches.

Sadly, there has been quite a bit of liturgical abuse in the Latin Church since VCII, much of which is attributable to the more 'progressive' bishops (like mine). Each bishop, however, is responsible for his own diocese and, short of committing a heretical act, there is little the pope can do to stop them.

Why Doesn't the Pope Do Something about "Bad" Bishops?

In the meantime, why not discover the beauty and rich liturgies offered up in the Eastern Catholic Churches.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).

[sitetest]

Chappaquiddick Ted Kennedy actually did receive Holy Communion at the papal Mass at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.

Apparently, a priest came to him in his seat to administer the Blessed Sacrament while he sat, apparently because he’s so damned fat that he has trouble getting out of his seat.

[the invisib1e hand]

Giuliani's spokeswoman, Sunny Mindel, said Monday that he is willing to meet with the cardinal but added that his faith "is a deeply personal matter."

C'mon Rudy, you know better. It's a personal matter all right. Between you and the Church of God.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Read more, speculate less.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2003467/posts?page=60#60

[baa39]

A bishop only has authority in his own diocese. What would be great is if all the bishops presented a united front. Just as Cardinal Egan has done with Giuliani, so Cardinal O’Malley (Boston, Massachusetts Archdiocese) should do with Kennedy and Kerry (who both DID receive at one of the outdoor stadium Masses). Niederhauer would be the one to reprimand Pelosi if she took Communion (San Francisco archdiocese and a pro-gay archbishop, I don’t expect any action there).

[baa39]

He cannot do anything, officially. But if the person in question comes to that very bishop to receive communion, he may refuse him, as ANY priest may, if he’s certain it would be a sacrilege to give him the sacrament. That’s a separate issue from the bishop’s role. But in terms of pastoral or disciplinary measures, every single Catholic in the world has a bishop and is subject to that bishop, whether or not they recognize it. In the situation you’re describing, the bishop has no authority, but he certainly could in confidence communicate with his brother bishop who has the jurisdiction over the person in question and let him know what he observed.

[ardara]

I was also surprised that Cardinal Egan spoke out pulically against Giuliani’s actions.I must give credit to the Cardinal on this occasion. I hope this is the start of something new.

[AFPhys]

Amen.

... but, are you trying to say you don’t agree, or that you are surprised, or what else?

[Jeff Chandler]

He said it would be difficult for the priest to determine if the person in question had already spoken with a priest and had received absolution, prior to attending the mass.

One would think that a sin so public as to cause a scandal would require public remorse.

[dangus]

Yay, Cardinal Egan!

[dangus]

>> Did Egan give instructions not to distribute Communion to Giuliani? <<

Sadly, he probably didn’t realize it would be necessary.

[dangus]

>> why is Egan picking on Rudy only? What about Kerry, Kennedy and pelosi???????????????????????? <<

Egan was responsible for Giuliani’s attendance. Cardinal Wuehrl will have to face judgment himself for inviting Kerry, Kennedy and Pelosi.

[Ransomed]

baa39, you are ‘probly a heckuva lot smarter than me when it comes to this stuff. But it seems to me that a Bishop should teach when he sees some wonky crap going down. There was a lot of eyes watching these pro-baby butcherers recieve Communion who don’t know that these folks are putting themselves in grave danger. And now this instance can be used as a weapon for the cause of baby butchery.

Freegards

[baa39]

I was getting into technicalities, but probably you are right about the overall moral compulsion. A bishop is considered a “shepherd” as well as a “prince of the Church” and his role is clearly defined: to teach, to govern and to sanctify. One could argue that in a clear-cut situation of apostasy, heresy or sacrilege, a bishop is duty-bound regardless of where he is (diocese) to act to prevent such from occurring.

But, come to think on it, one might make the same argument that a priest or even a layperson has a moral obligation to intervene if possible to do so without committing another sin.

It’s interesting to ponder great saints who were bishops, and their different personalities, and try to imagine what they would do in today’s situation!