Posted on 02/18/2009 10:27:57 AM PST by NYer
February 17, 2009 As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi prepares to meet with Pope Benedict tomorrow in Rome, stateside, a nationwide petition project has been launched requesting the Catholic Bishops of the United States to withhold Communion from her and other prominent Catholics in public life that obstinately persist in their dissent from Catholic teaching on serious moral issues.
This nationwide Withholding Communion petition is being launched by Pewsitter.com, a Catholic News Portal. The goal of the petition drive is to gather a least 1 million petitions for presentation to the U.S. Bishops and the Vatican.
The basis for withholding communion is Canon 915, which stipulates that those "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion." Archbishop Burke, the head of the Church's highest court reiterated his view on this subject in a recent interview with LifeSite News dated January 30, 2009, in which he stated, "The person who persists publicly in grave sin is to be denied Holy Communion, and it [Canon Law] doesn't say that the bishop shall decide this. It's an absolute."
Most Catholics dont know that in addition to Canon 915, Canon law also compels Catholics to take action." Canon 212 S3, states that the Catholic faithful have " ..the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church."
While the Catholic faithful understand and support the behind-the-scenes dialogue and diplomacy that goes on with prominent Catholics, by the Bishops, to reconcile them with the Church -- when such dissent continues for years and in some cases decades - - in spite of the actions and activities that have been undertaken by past and present Bishops - - then it becomes necessary for a Bishop to take a formal public stand to prevent further scandal.
Unfortunately what has happened is that prominent, dissenting Catholics, in public life have continued to receive communion with impunityand this has led to the false impression that the Church condones or at least tolerates such dissenting opinions on serious moral issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research to name a few.
Not only do these prominent Catholics disregard the Churchs teachings, but in many cases they actively and publicly promote policies and legislation that undermines, opposes and contradicts the Churchs teachings. Examples of such Catholics include Speaker of the House - Nancy Pelosi, Vice President - Joseph Biden, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Senator John Kerry, to name a few.
For more information or to complete the petition go to www.pewsitter.com/petition/
Dascle needs to be included.
The petition is generic. It names no specific individual but only uses the phrase rominent Catholics in public life.
That s/b “prominent”. My apologies.
PING FOR LATER
WONDERFUL!
I hope every priest in the land encourages it.
I guess I’m expecting priests and bishops to deny communion because it is the teaching of the church. Popular opinion scares me when it comes to law and theology.
certainly, no one on earth knows another persons heart & soul as only God does.
however, certainly Pelosi and Biden (the two highest-level self-proclaiming Catholic political leaders)are not in true communion with the Church through simple observation of their continued contradictory actions.
This is a great and profoundlty Catholic idea.
The Holy Community has two aspects (think of them as the two planks of the Cross). One is communion with Jesus Christ through His body and blood of the Sacrament. The other is with the fellow Catholics, on earth and in heaven, the entire Catholic Church.
Christ calls us to reconcile with your brother before bringing gifts to the altar (Mt 5:24). This has an implication that if one is an unrepentent assistant to murder, like the Madame Speaker, then communion with her is an impossibility. People should demand her excommunication, mark the parish where she receives her condemnation as unclean, and urge others to receive elsewhere.
Public excommunication would help in getting them unelected. But more to the point, it’s something that should be done to try to save their souls.
I’d like to see a similar movement regarding nominally Orthodox Christian politicians who support abortion (Sarbanes comes to mind, though he’s left public office).
I thought it was the individual who excommunicated himself/herself when he/she didn’t follow the tenets of their faith.
Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden and John Kerry and Ted Kennedy excommunicated themselves. Now it’s up to the church’s priests, bishopes, archbishops and cardinals to withhold communion from them if they still follow a pro-abortion stance.
Right? If not, where did I miss it?
You mentioned the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant but forgot the Church Suffering. Don't fail to remember those souls in purgatory.
Yes, and Madame Baby Killer prolongs their suffering.
It is apart from a Holy Sacrament, it is a very practical way of helping remind people who we are accountable to and the need to be consciencious of our actions because He knows our heart.
I would say murder qualifies for a good confession prior to partaking in Holy Communion with God.
It is the equivalent of attending the Last Supper with Jesus, and showing up stinky, sloppy, with unraveled clothes, and dirty hands. We need to either clean up, or politely decline.
You are correct. The matter has to be grave to incur a sentance of excommunication, and abortion and heresy are the two that generally cause it. It is important to note that the church makes the pronouncement, as it did on these two issues, that if one believes, supports, condones, or assists, or commits it, they are excommunicated by the very act. It is very rare for a public excommunication to occur verbally.
Now, for the reasoning. The Church does this to show the person the error of their ways, so the may see that repenting and reconciling with the church is necessary. It is then up to the bishops and priests to withhold communion until a change of heart occurs, they renounce their former sins, and “go and sin no more” in this area. To do otherwise causes scandal within the church, and offends catholics who know this. This used to not be an issue as an excommunicated catholic would never even approach the altar when catechising on this issue was actually done. It is quite notable in this last 50 years or so, that the communion lines are way longer than the confessional lines. This is due to people confusing two things sin and choice. They call evil good and good evil. Add to that removal of personal responsibility and you have no sin, only choice. The most devious trick of the devil in our times is to convince many he does not exist, therefore,neither does sin. This does not square with the teaching of christ that god is the same, yesterday, today and ALWAYS.
While this is a foreign concept in America, many feel this is wrong or judgemental, perhaps casuing backlash towards the catholic church by many, the truth is, no one has a right to be catholic. If you do not hold the beliefs of the church, you are free to leave the church and become a member of a church that shares your belief. You do not have the right to expect the church to change its beliefs to fit yours. The church can only teach truth, the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. If that were to happen, then the bible, God and all truth would be at the very least, questionable. No, the fact that the catholic church will NOT bend on dogma, ever, should give all christians a sense of peace about that issue. Many have tried, many popes were martyred,and many schisms occurred, the catholic church is constantly the butt of jokes, scorn, and hatred in this world, yet they will not change to fit into it. If you don’t like it, or believe it, you are not forced to, but it remains and lack of belief will not change that.
Senator Ted Kennedy condition is worsening. I wonder if there will be problems with his funeral because of his anti-Catholic stands?
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