Catholic Bishops Will Decide Individually on Communion for Politicians

[CShine]

America's Roman Catholic bishops said from a private retreat Friday that Catholics should not honor or give awards to politicians who defy "our fundamental moral principles" on abortion and other issues. However, church leaders refrained from making a definitive statement on whether Holy Communion should be withheld from dissenting Catholic lawmakers. The bishops had entered the meeting badly divided over the issue and, after their closed-door discussion, affirmed that under church law each bishop can decide how to apply teachings in his own diocese.

"Bishops can legitimately make different judgments on the most prudent course of pastoral action. Nevertheless, we all share an unequivocal commitment to protect human life and dignity and to preach the Gospel in difficult times," the bishops said in the statement from their suburban Denver assembly, which ends Saturday.

The prelates emphasized the importance of opposition to abortion from the earliest days of the church, and the obligation of Catholic lawmakers to uphold that teaching. They said all Catholics must "examine their consciences" before deciding whether they are worthy to take Communion.

"Those who formulate law ... have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good," the bishops said. "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB4OKOVMVD.html

[Tosca]

1. How comforting.

/Catholic Bishops Will Decide Individually on Communion /
/for Politicians

So nice to know when they're not shielding child molestors they're busy deciding on the high moral issues.

[El Supremo]

2. I was wondering what all the thunder was for.

The Bishops have been meeting near Denver just south of where Cheney gave a speech today. I work nearby and there has been lightning and thunder all day.

[Warpy]

14. Biship Michael J. Sheridan

of Colorado Springs is the one stirring up all the trouble. He's had those other bishops meeting with him, guess he couldn't force a consensus on the issue.

Bishop Sheridan wrote the letter to his flock telling them that if they voted for prochoice candidates (translation: Democrats) they were unworthy to receive communion. http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/pastoralletter.pdf

Alas, a lot of large contributions to church building funds suddenly dried up and the collection plates were getting lighter, so the Archbishop of Denver chastized him and stated that communion should never be withheld unless the sins were public and egregious.

That is why Sheridan is meeting with a bunch of other bishops. He's trying to do an end run around his superior, a huge nono.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Bishop Sheridan will soon be promoted to an office in Rome right next to that occupied by another famous troublemaker, Cardinal Law.

[struggle4progress]

3. Text: Catholics in Political Life

We speak as bishops, as teachers of the Catholic faith and of the moral law. We have the duty to teach about human life and dignity, marriage and family, war and peace, the needs of the poor and the demands of justice. <snip>

We need to continue to teach clearly and help other Catholic leaders to teach clearly on our unequivocal commitment to the legal protection of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Our teaching on human life and dignity should be reflected in our parishes and our educational, health care and human service ministries.

We need to do more to persuade all people that human life is precious and human dignity must be defended. This requires more effective dialogue and engagement with all public officials, especially Catholic public officials. We welcome conversation initiated by political leaders themselves.
<snip>

http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.htm

[Gin]

4. Just wait until the collection plates are empty.....they will sing another

tune......how foolish to take this stand while the molestation elephant is still standing in their living room.

They have "NO" credibility....I say keep your damn wafer. It's only bread!

[2Design]

15. can anyone find contact information on this site...

other than the webmaster and where to send resumes.....

these people are so far out of line......this means ALL politicians. Especially rethugs....because they are pro death.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

5. Great! No "awards or honors" for pro-death penalty Catholic JEB.

Sounds good to me.

[saigon68]

7. They will fawn at the Homophobe's feet

Ya old Jeb wants to President some day too. That why he talks the way he does, in homophobic tones.

I wonder if they will have a special kissing ceremony where they kiss his feet.

[tlcandie]

6. Absolutely laughable!

I'm so glad that I don't have to depend on someone in this world to absolve me or decide on what I can or can't do regarding my spiritual/ personal life! Maybe soon they will be deciding on who can or can't receive communion for other things like voting for the wrong party! :evilgrin:

Whatever floats your boat! :bounce:

[Tosca]

8. Heathen! Or worse, Jew!

/I'm so glad that I don't have to depend on someone in this world
/to absolve me

[Tellurian]

9. Catholic Bishops playing GOD?

What a disgrace to the Catholic religion.

Their religious enforcement is anti-American. Going against the Constitutional Laws protecting Religious Freedom this country was founded on.

[TahitiNut]

10. This is an "All Sins Must Be Illegal!" posture - establishmentarianism.

The Church isn't talking about excommunicating a woman who has an abortion.

The Church isn't talking about excommunicating a doctor who performs an abortion.

The Church isn't talking about excommunicating a husband who "allows" his wife to have an abortion.

The Church is talking about a Catholic holding public office who doesn't abuse his secular authority to impose Catholic dogma on everyone, including non-Catholics.

This is reprehensible.


What's next? Excommunication for any Catholic who doesn't vote "properly"?? What happens to a Catholic who votes for one of these "sin-permitting" politicians??

This is appallingly over-reaching. (The Jebbies must be disgusted.)

[Tosca]

12. The Holy Catholic Church

The Church has lost its way.

The Church is foundering.

The Church has no match in its hypocrital stances.

The Church is a Paper Tiger.

The Church is corrupt and dying.

[CShine]

11. Sounds like pro-choice on the communion question

[RebelYell]

13. How Christian of them!

Hypocrites