Posted on 10/10/2002 6:17:10 PM PDT by Flying Circus
PRIEST REFUSES COMMUNION TO KNEELING PRO-LIFE POLITICIAN Calls Pro-Life Delegate a "Conservative Idiot"
ARLINGTON, VA, October 10, 2002 (LSN.ca) - Honorable Richard Black, member of the Virginia House of Delegates and a heroic defender of life and family in the state legislature, was refused Holy Communion at Arlington's St. Thomas More Cathedral. On September 22, the Cathedral Rector, Fr. Dominic Irace refused to give Communion to Delegate Black since Black was kneeling to receive. Fr. Irace told him he must stand to receive but Black chose to rather to genuflect and withdraw.
In a letter of concern to Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde, Catholic pro-life activist Dr. Joseph Strada, wrote: "This affront to Delegate Black, and his family, is doubly shameful because Delegate Black is, without question, the most courageous defender of the innocent unborn on the floor of the House of Delegates in Richmond. One has to wonder if Fr. Irace would have been so bold as to refuse Holy Communion to Senator Ted Kennedy or other militantly pro-abortion "Catholic" politicians who regularly attend Mass in Arlington churches."
After Mass, and in the presence of Black's wife and daughter as well as other faithful, Fr. Irace shouted insults to Delegate Black as he exited the Cathedral. When Delegate Black tried to avoid Fr. Irace, pointing out that he had refused him Holy Communion, Fr. Irace shouted "you liar!" several times. As Delegate Black left the Cathedral, Fr. Irace loudly called him a "conservative idiot."
In an interview with LifeSite, Delegate Black said that while he has been under tense situations in combat for his country and in the war-like political realm, he was concerned for other faithful Catholics who may be intimidated by Fr. Irace.
To express your concerns:
Bishop Loverde: The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde Diocese of Arlington 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 914 Arlington, VA 22203 Or email family life office at r.laird@arlingtondiocese.org
Delegate Richard Black 20978 Flatboat Court Sterling, VA 20165 (703) 406-2951 fax: (703) 450-2076 mail@delegateblack.com
See Joseph Strada's letter to the Bishop: http://www.rcf.org/docs/strada01.htm
(More pro-life news at www.lifesite.net)
I simply don't understand why it has to be one or the other. Why can't it be both? Why can't the priest give the sacraments to the recipient in either position? This distraction, if you will, is from the "Pit of Hell" itself, and the devil has dangled it from his fishing pole in front of the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Church has taken that bait and swallowed it, hook, line , and sinker. The devil did this so that you will take your attention away from the reason Holy Communion is taken which is, "do to this (communion) in remembrance of me", to the ridiculous distraction of the "position to take when taking the sacrments. How foolish. It's tells God Almighty where our priorities lie, and reveals to Him that we are so very much "Babes in Christ, and cannot be fed the "meat" of the Word of God, because babies can only be fed "milk" How disappointing this must be to God, after 2000 years of existence on this Earth, we are arguing about "whether we should take communion standing up or kneeling" down. God help the Catholic Church!!!
I think you and I are saying the same thing; you're just carrying it out six decimal places.
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