The Controversy that is not Going Away

Should Catholic "Pro-Choice" Politicians be Denied Communion



Jesus, of course, never took a political poll before feeding fish to 5,000 or filling the wedding guests jug of water turned wine. He never asked the guests at the wedding how they felt about the Roman practice of crucifiction (mass murder capitol punishment) and neither did he ask anyone of the 5,000 or 4,000 on the hill whether they supported anyone who had an abortion before feeding them. Why? Because Jesus meets people at their need. He didn't conduct a survey before healing anyone-he just showed up and wherever he went he healed EVERYONE- ALL who were in his path.

I mention these above episodes because they foreshadowed his eucharistic meal. They demonstrate his heart in wanting to feed and heal people, even if it required he give himself and die to do it.


So there is a raging debate now over whether the HHS nominee is going to be able to receive if she dares walk up to take communion. Some would like to publically humiliate her I am sure. They are good at that.



There are reasons one is supposed to refrain from communion of choice. 1. If you are in unrepentent unconfessed "mortal sin" you are supposed to go to confession first. 2. If you have something against your neighbor or your neighbor has something against you that you have not dealt with you are supposed to address it first before taking communion- leave your gift at the altar and be reconciled to your brother.
Otherwise you are taking it unworthily-and that could make you literally sick from your own sin.


There are other reasons why you may not want to take communion of your own volition: 1. You missed the gospel reading so you should wait until the next Mass 2. You think the homily or its deliverer was off his rocker and can't imagine anything like Jesus coming through his hands so you go to another church and take it at another Mass 3. it's a silent protest of something that you want addressed and so go on a hunger strike and hope someone noticed. (Dumb reason-people will just think you are in mortal sin if they notice at all.)


So there is a Bishopric debate on whether it is appropriate to deny someone communion-
rather than trust that they are following Christ in their heart if they present themselves.

I favor the Wuerl approach- which was also followed by Cardinal McCarrick. These legislative policy issues are tricky- and the Lord alone judges hearts and souls.