Posted on 01/23/2003 9:52:18 AM PST by gubamyster
'Oppose it or stop taking Holy Communion,' governor told
Posted: January 23, 2003 12:15 p.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Sacramento Bishop William K. Weigand, leader of 500,000 Catholics in Northern California, challenged Gov. Gray Davis yesterday to prove he's not a hypocrite on the issue of abortion.
The Sacramento Bee reports Weigand called on the governor to either renounce his support of abortion rights or stop taking Holy Communion, one of the most sacred rites in the Catholic faith.
Weigand threw down the gauntlet before congregants assembled for morning Mass on the 30th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that amounted to the legalization of abortion.
"As your bishop, I have to say clearly that anyone – politician or otherwise – who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk, and is not in good standing with the church," Weigand said. "Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart."
The Bee reports the governor is an active Catholic who attends Mass in Southern California with his wife, Sharon. The Davises were originally married in a civil ceremony but got remarried in the Catholic Church for their 15th wedding anniversary. The ceremony allowed Davis to resume taking communion.
Weigand praised Monsignor Edward Kavanagh, during the Mass. Last month Kavanagh refused to allow Davis to deliver gifts to St. Patrick's Orphanage unless he renounce his abortion-rights views.
"I'm unapologetically pro-choice and I'm not changing my position," the governor responded, according to The Bee.
"Ever since the little incident last month, people have been asking questions," Weigand told congregants in reference to the Kavanagh showdown. "They asked "how can a Catholic be in good standing and still hold that point of view? I'm saying you can't be a Catholic in good standing and hold that point of view. The governor's position is very public and contrary. ... You can't have it both ways," he said.
The bishop was also taking a cue from the pope. Last week, the Vatican released a new set of guidelines approved by Pope John Paul II for Catholic politicians. The document said that church opposition to abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage was not up for negotiation. It urged lawmakers, when voting on legislation, to stay in line with the church's "nonnegotiable ethical principles."
The pope reaffirmed to Roman Catholic politicians that when they take positions opposing "the basic right to life from conception to natural death" they are outside the doctrine of faith.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the doctrine lacks enforcement; politicians who take heretical positions aren't penalized and, more often, are supported by Catholic leaders.
Specifically, the Catholic vote is viewed to have helped incumbent Davis eek out a win over his Catholic, pro-life opponent Bill Simon in last year's election.
One pro-life group seeks to hold Catholic politicians' feet to the fire. As WorldNetDaily reported, as part of its Crusade to Defend Our Catholic Church, the American Life League launched a new campaign yesterday to put pressure on what it calls "The Deadly Dozen" – 12 U.S. senators who are both Catholic and support legalized abortion. Among the 12 are Sens. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and John Kerry, D-Mass., a Democratic candidate for president. In a statement, the organization said the dozen senators are "claiming to be faithful Catholics."
"For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has steadfastly defended the sanctity of all human life," said American Life League president Judie Brown. "The simple fact is you cannot actively support abortion and be a faithful Catholic. You can't have it both ways. The Church's teachings on this matter are very clear."
The Associated Press reports that Kerry has rejected the Vatican's new guidelines.
Governor Davis is reportedly not backing down either. Spokesman Russ Lopez deflected the challenge from the bishop and criticized Weigand for "telling the faithful how to practice their faith." He then predicted Weigand's comments would alienate California Catholics.
"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" he asked. "Who's going to be left in church?"
Lopez also told The Bee the governor was proud of the legislation he signed giving women the right to choose. Other legislation touted include measures that require HMOs to cover Food and Drug Administration-approved contraception and that crack down on violent protesters at abortion clinics.
Davis' office issued a press release yesterday boasting that California was "the most pro-choice state in America."
The governor also marked the anniversary by issuing a proclamation at a Planned Parenthood event in Los Angeles.
"During my entire career in public service, I've supported a woman's reproductive freedom. When it comes to a woman's right to choose, as long as I'm governor, California will not concede one inch," he declared.
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Sad to say, though, I'll bet a good many of our bishops--and many more of our priests--think that is a great reason to avoid mentioning the views of our Church on the most important moral issue of the day.
While what you fear could happen, it is equally dangerous for the Church not to take a stand on this issue. The Holy Father has clearly stated the official position of the Church regarding abortion. Faithful Catholics are morally bound to accept it. If the Church as a whole allows even the appearence of equivocating, of letting persons off the hook because of their positions of political power, it would undercut the Church's moral authority to speak to the issue at all. Political influence must not trump the teaching authority of the Holy See, and the faithful should be rightly concerned if exceptions are made on behalf of those who seek the approval of men in place of seeking the kingdom of God.
We have had visiting priests who have been more straightforward in talking about Life issues, but our parish priest, God bless him, is overwhelmed with the duties of a large parish and, unfortunately, I think doesn't want to make waves with some of our richer, and less orthodox, parishoners.
I'm hoping that the pro-life committee can work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow Catholics through love and charity and solid education.
Communion is a very public event for both the recipient and the priest. Next Sunday there will be reporters and photographers accompanying the governor to Mass. If he lines up for and is given the Real Presence after the bishop's injunction, all Hell will break loose.
Does anybody know what church Davis attends? Pro-life activists should be on hand with Rosaries to pray for his conversion and with signs take advantage of the media coverage.
People in the pews should remind pro-abortion politicians not to go up for communion.
Our souls aren't at stake at the sins of our fellow Catholics
If we have the opportunity to warn politicians but fail to do so, our own souls MAY be at stake. The American Catholic community draws down judgment on itself by permitting its members to promote and particicate in abortion.
I never claimed they lacked legitimate authority.
I said they lack the moral authority with which to bring people back into compliance with church law.
Moral Authority comes from others respect for the way you live. It cannot be granted or withdrawn by the Church.
So9
I suggest, dear governor, that you stray from your normal haunts and crack open the Bible you doubtless own (for photo ops, if nothing else).
Look up a chap named Gideon.
If push comes to shove, the Church would prefer quality to quantity. If there are no true Catholics left in California, so be it. Form your own heretic sect, with child sacrifice as your sacrament, and be about your business. At least then you'll have the comfort of honesty.
And, I have no doubt Monsgr. Kavanaugh as well as the Bishop would refuse to give Davis communion if he went up to them.
Wow.
It's about time.
:-(
I know you're being sarcastic, and that's a shame. The major Cardinal on the West is so ... contrary to the faith. I really hate to criticize those placed in charge, because I know the Holy Spirit will never allow the gates of Hell to prevail ... there must be a reason our weak human minds can not understand, that men like Cardinal Mahoney are promoted to positions of power, and worse, that they are leading the flock astray.
What I don't understand is how he can do it without remorse. Isn't it worse for someone to intentionally lead someone to sin than to be the one misled, especially if you didn't know you were sinning? While some couples might know that contraception is wrong, they believe that it's OK because their priest tells them it's OK. Yes, they are sinning, but isn't the sin of the priest giving them the go-ahead -- their spiritual leader -- isn't that worse?
We need to pray for Cardinal Mahoney and all the shepherd's of God's flock that they may see the error of their ways; but more, I think we need to pray for our patience and understanding that the ways of God are not our ways, and we might not understand why or what He's doing in our time.
Do those words of Jesus count?<>
Yes, they do, but you are missing my point.
No one who has already drifted far enough from the church to be pro choice, or pro gay, is going to be persuaded of anything by any member of the clergy until after the church has cleaned it's own house.
Only after the church is cleansed is there any possibility that lapsed or semi lapsed catholics can be brought back into the fold.
A shepherd ignored by the sheep is a failed shepherd, even if he still has the crook.
So9
You sound exactly like liberals talking about Bill Clinton or Scott Ritter.
So9
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