A Concern for Catholics in Public Life
Recent
efforts to perpetuate and expand abortion in state laws have
illuminated the deplorable actions of some Catholic public officials and
advocates. Their efforts to support and even celebrate such legislation
will result in killing many more unborn children, as well as the
spiritual and emotional wounding of their mothers and
fathers. Advocating for intrinsically evil acts, like abortion, is a
serious immoral act – one that involves grave matter, the prerequisite
for the commission of a mortal sin. While we can object to the actions
of these public officials, we are not able to judge their souls. At the
same time, we know there will be a Judgment Day.
Conscious
and unrepentant mortal sin endangers our eternal souls and places
ourselves on a path to Hell. To receive our Eucharistic Lord, while in a
state of mortal sin, only further jeopardizes the eternal fate of our
souls. Sincere repentance, a conversion of heart, and a genuine effort
to make amends for the harm caused by our sin, are essential to be able
to receive God’s mercy.
In
my own role as a bishop, I have a serious responsibility to make
certain that those entrusted to my pastoral care are aware of the moral
gravity and spiritual consequences of their actions. I also have a
serious obligation to protect other members of my flock from being
misled by a seeming tolerance of the scandalous behavior of some
Catholics in public life. It is critically important that I attempt to
enter into dialogue with such Catholic leaders. If even after an
extended dialogue a Catholic in public life persists in scandalous
actions, I have found it necessary to request that they not present
themselves to receive Holy Communion, for their own spiritual welfare
and for the protection of many others from moral confusion.
I
invite all Catholics to pray for spiritual healing for all those
involved in or advocating for legalized abortion. When we truly repent,
God is always eager to lavish us with His mercy.
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City, Kansas
Chairman
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Committee on Pro-Life Activities
Any reprinting must note: “Reprinted with permission from Catholic News Service”
