Bishops to consider excluding pro-abortion politicians from communion, but California's prelates unlikely to support such a ban
A four-day meeting of U.S. bishops begins today at the posh Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel. On the bishops' agenda, among other items, is a revision of their statement on "faithful citizenship," a guide for Catholics on political issues.
A news release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says a draft of the updated statement "focuses on the bishops' role in helping to form consciences in political life." But what is the best way to do that? The prelates are divided, with some favoring denial of communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion and euthanasia, while others consider the question of whether or not to receive communion a matter of private conscience.
Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis is probably the strongest advocate of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians as a disciplinary measure. In a recent interview published by the Archdiocese of St. Louis' Office of Communications, Burke minced no words when asked if the majority of bishops supported this discipline: "It is not a question of what number of bishops agree or disagree with the discipline. It is the discipline of the universal Church, which every bishop is required to uphold."
A news release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops says a draft of the updated statement "focuses on the bishops' role in helping to form consciences in political life." But what is the best way to do that? The prelates are divided, with some favoring denial of communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion and euthanasia, while others consider the question of whether or not to receive communion a matter of private conscience.
Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis is probably the strongest advocate of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians as a disciplinary measure. In a recent interview published by the Archdiocese of St. Louis' Office of Communications, Burke minced no words when asked if the majority of bishops supported this discipline: "It is not a question of what number of bishops agree or disagree with the discipline. It is the discipline of the universal Church, which every bishop is required to uphold." --
"In Cordibus Jesu et Mariae"
