Posted on 07/07/2005 6:29:24 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Stresses Scandal of Receiving Communion while supporting Abortion
VATICAN, July 7, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Vatican held a press conference today to present the "Instrumentum laboris" (working document) for the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, scheduled to be held in the Vatican from October 2 to 23, 2005 on the theme: "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church." The document, drawn up on the basis from Church leaders throughout the world to a draft called the "Lineamenta", lamented "the fact that too many faithful receive communion without having sufficiently reflected upon the morality of their lives."
Article 73 of the 88-page document says, "there exist Catholics who do not understand why they commit a sin when they support politically a candidate openly in favour of abortion or other grave acts against life, justice, and peace."
Commenting on the reception of communion, the same article says, "Certain (faithful) communicate even if they deny the teachings of the church or support publicly immoral choices, such as abortion, without thinking that they are committing a personal action which is profoundly dishonest or that they are a source of scandal."
The document calls the disturbing developments "a crisis on what it means to belong to the church as well as a lack of clarity in the distinction between venial sin and mortal sin."
Pointing out the vast difference between church practice in the developing and developed nations, the document notes that attendance at Sunday Mass "is high in various particular Churches in the countries of Africa and also in some Asian countries. The opposite is the case in the majority of countries in Europe, America and Oceania."
Space is also dedicated to deficiencies in the celebration the Eucharist which "challenge a sense of the sacred." These include neglectfulness in the use of correct liturgical vestments, participants wearing unbefitting clothing, or the scant architectural and artistic quality of church buildings.
And it's true. Now watch some stupid liberal bring up an unrelated topic to argue this proclamation.
Jeesh,35 years to come up with this???????? How many years have pro-lifers been saying this!!!!!!
Like that monstrosity Los Angeles built a couple years back? Doesn't that POS have Aztec designs on the doors or something?
This is not a new position by the Church but rather a clarification for the benefit of the ignorant.
I'm no theologian--I'm not even Catholic, but I see some potential conflicts with this doctrine. How does this cut for a Catholic who supports a candidate who is not pro-life because of that candidate's position on, say, taxes or foreign policy? Should this person throw his support to the pro-life candidate even if he disagrees with the pro-life candidate on every other major issue? A candidate's position on abortion is obviously a deal-breaker for some voters. Is the Church saying it should be a deal-breaker for every Catholic?
Interesting reading. Thanks for the link.
BTTT!
What a list!
Catechism of the Catholic Church and what it says about those who support abortion
In that case why re the no excommunications?
As I said before, STILL not cause for excommunication.
It is the difference between what is said and what is done.
Judging the Church by its actions and not words, support for politicians advocating abortion is no cause for excommunication.
thanks, it brings back memories of the old campaign and still has some useful info. contained within them.
is this document linked to the Internet yet and in English?these sentences hold a lot of weight.
Article 73 of the 88-page document says, "there exist Catholics who do not understand why they commit a sin when they support politically a candidate openly in favour of abortion or other grave acts against life, justice, and peace."
Commenting on the reception of communion, the same article says, "Certain (faithful) communicate even if they deny the teachings of the church or support publicly immoral choices, such as abortion, without thinking that they are committing a personal action which is profoundly dishonest or that they are a source of scandal."
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