LifeNews.com - The news source for the pro-life community.

Vatican: Catholic Priests Should Deny Communion to Pro-Abortion Politicians

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 23, 2004

Vatican City (LifeNews.com) -- A leading Catholic official said on Friday that Catholic priests should withhold communion from politicians who refuse to recant their pro-abortion positions. Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry says religion and politics shouldn't mix.

Cardinal Francis Arinze spoke at a news conference Friday on the Catholic Church's efforts to keep Mass sacred. Regarding communion, a new document says those who know they are guilty of "grave sin" should attend confession prior to taking communion.

When asked whether that meant Kerry should not be allowed to take communion, Arinze said the church's position was clear and Catholic bishops in the U.S. should decide the matter, according to an AP report.

"The norm of the church is clear,'' he said. "The Catholic Church exists in the United States and there are bishops there. Let them interpret it.''

But when asked about "unambiguously pro-abortion" Catholic politicians, Arinze said such officials are "not fit" to receive communion.

"Yes," Arinze responded. "If the person should not receive it, then it should not be given. Objectively, the answer is there."

Responding to Arinze, Kerry spokesman David Wade reiterated Kerry's position that there should be a separation of church and state.

"The decisions he will make as president will be guided by his obligation to all the people of our country and to the Constitution of the United States," Wade said in a statement. "Every American -- whether they be Jewish, Catholic, Protestant or any other faith -- must believe their president is representing them."

Kerry is slated to hold a rally today with leaders of abortion advocacy groups in anticipation of their pro-abortion march on Sunday.

"The Church's custom shows that it is necessary for each person to examine himself at depth and that anyone who is conscious of grave sin should not celebrate or receive the Body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession," the new document says.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington is heading up a task force for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on how to handle politicians like Kerry whose views run counter to the church.

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke said he would offer the politician a blessing rather than giving him full communion and Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston has told Catholic elected officials who are pro-abortion that they should not be receiving communion.

Kerry drew criticism for taking communion at a Catholic church in Boston on Easter.

Arinze is a Nigerian who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Pope John Paul II.


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	Vatican: Catholic Priests Should Deny Communion to Pro-Abortion Politicians by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor April 23, 2004 Vatican City (LifeNews.com) -- A leading Catholic official said on Friday that Catholic priests should withhold communion from politicians who refuse to recant their pro-abortion positions. Meanwhile, presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry says religion and politics shouldn't mix. Cardinal Francis Arinze spoke at a news conference Friday on the Catholic Church's efforts to keep Mass sacred. Regarding communion, a new document says those who know they are guilty of "grave sin" should attend confession prior to taking communion. When asked whether that meant Kerry should not be allowed to take communion, Arinze said the church's position was clear and Catholic bishops in the U.S. should decide the matter, according to an AP report. "The norm of the church is clear,'' he said. "The Catholic Church exists in the United States and there are bishops there. Let them interpret it.'' But when asked about "unambiguously pro-abortion" Catholic politicians, Arinze said such officials are "not fit" to receive communion. "Yes," Arinze responded. "If the person should not receive it, then it should not be given. Objectively, the answer is there." Responding to Arinze, Kerry spokesman David Wade reiterated Kerry's position that there should be a separation of church and state. "The decisions he will make as president will be guided by his obligation to all the people of our country and to the Constitution of the United States," Wade said in a statement. "Every American -- whether they be Jewish, Catholic, Protestant or any other faith -- must believe their president is representing them." Kerry is slated to hold a rally today with leaders of abortion advocacy groups in anticipation of their pro-abortion march on Sunday. "The Church's custom shows that it is necessary for each person to examine himself at depth and that anyone who is conscious of grave sin should not celebrate or receive the Body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession," the new document says. Meanwhile, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington is heading up a task force for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on how to handle politicians like Kerry whose views run counter to the church. St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke said he would offer the politician a blessing rather than giving him full communion and Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston has told Catholic elected officials who are pro-abortion that they should not be receiving communion. Kerry drew criticism for taking communion at a Catholic church in Boston on Easter. Arinze is a Nigerian who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Pope John Paul II.