Posted on 01/23/2004 11:28:16 PM PST by Polycarp IV
Boston Archbishop Says Pro-Abortion Politicians "Shouldn't Dare Come to Communion"
WASHINGTON, DC, January 23, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com following the Vigil for Life Mass in Washington Wednesday, Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley expressed his great desire for a renewal of faith among Catholics. Asked about the problem of Catholic politicians promoting abortion, the Archbishop noted that the problem "is not only politicians but those (Catholics) who vote for them." He stressed repeatedly the "great need for adult catechesis among our people."
"These politicians should know that if they're not voting correctly on these life issues that they shouldn't dare come to communion," the Archbishop told LifeSiteNews.com.
Archbishop O'Malley noted that beyond pro-abortion politicians, that reception of Holy Communion by those not in a state of grace is sadly commonplace. "I think it's in the context of a greater problem - Catholics feel that everyone is entitled to go to communion all the time. That has to be addressed. You know if a (pro-abortion) politician asked me I would say you shouldn't go to communion, I wouldn't go to communion. They don't understand why." He explained, "At a funeral sometimes they will announce that communion is for Catholics and people get all offended, so we've lost the notion of the sacredness of communion and the kind of disposition we need to have."
Aside from his stressing the "great need" for adult catechesis, the Boston Archbishop said the solution lies in holiness. Catholics must "be willing to live their faith heroically, the testimony of holiness is the only thing that's going to be able to convince people. Mother Teresa could speak about life issues in a way, because of the ethos of her life, that was much more powerful than the most eloquent preacher or teacher. We have to live our faith very deeply in order to draw people."
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Madison Bishop Backs Burke on Pro-Abortion Politicians
Wisconsin Prelate Agrees With Denying Them Holy Communion
MADISON, Wisconsin, JAN. 23, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison says he is in "complete agreement" with La Crosse Bishop Raymond Burke's position to deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion and euthanasia.
Bishop Burke has instructed priests in his diocese to refuse Communion to politicians who support abortion until they recant their positions. He will be installed as archbishop of St. Louis next week.
Bishop Morlino suggested that even though he agrees with Bishop Burke's assessment of Catholic teaching, he might not decide on the same course of action for the Madison Diocese, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Bishop Molino has been head of the Madison since August.
In his weekly column in the Catholic Herald newspaper, Bishop Molino wrote: "It is indeed the case that Catholics who are public office holders enjoy the blessing of only one conscience -- they do not have one conscience for their private lives and one for their public responsibility, one for Church matters and another for State matters. That could not be more clear."
He continued: "The one conscience given to all of us seeks the truth that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, truth that He has chosen to speak forth through His Body the Church. It is through the Church that we receive the mind of Christ, and it is clearly not possible for a Catholic public office holder to leave the mind of Christ aside as he or she enters a Senate or House chamber or the office building whence they discharge their particular function in public life." ZE04012322
Not true.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/enpeters/a_denialofeucharist.htm
Excommunication (or interdiction) would entail the denial of all the sacraments, not the denial of only the Eucharist, as Burke has done.
Great post. Thank you for your good work here, Salvation.
One of the bishops really HAS to confront the pro-abortion types publicly. Like the Pope did back in the 1980s with Ernesto Cardenal in Managua.
I am so happy and excited! Bishop O'Malley is *finally* showing his stripes! I pray that the priests in this diocese listen to what their bishop is saying.
Archbishop O'Malley noted that beyond pro-abortion politicians, that reception of Holy Communion by those not in a state of grace is sadly commonplace. "I think it's in the context of a greater problem - Catholics feel that everyone is entitled to go to communion all the time. That has to be addressed. You know if a (pro-abortion) politician asked me I would say you shouldn't go to communion, I wouldn't go to communion. They don't understand why." He explained, "At a funeral sometimes they will announce that communion is for Catholics and people get all offended, so we've lost the notion of the sacredness of communion and the kind of disposition we need to have."
It is not. Excommunication is an explicit canonical penalty attached to specific actions; in addition, these politicians would be refused a church burial if they were excommunicated. I doubt Burke would refuse them that.
These pro-choice politicians are excluded from communion. They are not excommunicated.
Um....the smoke of Satan maybe?
God Bless
Mel
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