August 09, 2004
Glad to be in Atlanta: My Archbishop stands up for life
I know I'm a little late to the party, but I had to point out the recent statement by my Archbishop and two others supporting life and forbidding communion by pro-abortion politicians. Take a minute to read the letter, which is very good. It starts by explaining why abortion is so intrinsically evil and takes this through to explain why this makes pro-abortion politicians unworthy to receive the Lamb of God in the Eucharist.
I think a few passages within are excellent. For example:
Catholics in political life have the responsibility to exemplify in their public service this teaching of the Church, and to work for the protection of all innocent life. There can be no contradiction between the values bestowed by Baptism and the Catholic Faith, and the public expression of those values. Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner. By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin, a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in the pro-abortion stance (cf. Canon 915). [my emphasis]
Brilliantly simple and straightforward. Politicans must make a choice between the Truth and God on one side and political power on the other. They can choose either, but they can’t suggest they are choosing truth and political power in this debate, it doesn’t work that way.
I also liked how the Bishops pointed out the following:
We also take this opportunity to address all Catholics whose beliefs and conduct do not correspond to the Gospel and to Church teaching. To receive the great gift of God - the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ - we must approach Holy Communion free from mortal sin. Those who are conscious of being in a state of grave sin should avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Holy Communion. To partake of the Eucharist is to partake of Christ Himself, and to enter into sacramental communion with our Lord we must all be properly disposed.
And at the end, they barred these hypocrites from receiving communion in their dioceses. This is not only refuting heresy (the believe that you can be Catholic and pro-abortion) and standing up for truth, it is also an attempt to save the souls of these politicians by putting the proper weight on this specific topic. I’m hoping to see a few politicians stand up and publicly reverse their positions, but I’m guessing that most sincere Catholics are pro-life anyway, so it probably won’t happen. We must continue to pray for the bishops, especially in these times.
God bless,
Jay
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Great letter,
It wasnt clear to me whether the bishop was instructing priests and eucharistics ministers to withold communion when the pro-abortion politicians come forward or whether he was sticking with the honor system of having the politicians voluntariliy refrain from comming for communion.
To be honest, I'm not sure whether I want bishops to lay yet another burden on priests and eucharistic ministers and make them turn people away. Part of me wants the Church lay down the law and enforce it and make a big scene. The other part of me wants the Church to let things ride and let God deal with the politicians on judgement day.
All I can say is that I do not envy the eucharistic ministers in Atlanta and pray that they may find strength to face the challenges ahead.
Posted by: Richard Wan at August 9, 2004 02:50 PM
