Last October, this simple man's attempt to address the issue of dissident Catholic politicians receiving the Eucharist was, for the most part, ignored.
Now that Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco has taken public action and defined the battle - the salvation of souls and the end to public scandal and sacrilege - I thought it appropriate to try one more time.
Our bishops must speak and act as one.
No Catholic figure who publicly opposes any of the immutable teachings of the Catholic
Church (and most certainly that on abortion) may receive Holy Communion until they confess their sin in the sacrament of reconciliation and publicly repudiate their support for abortion. Nancy Pelosi is just one of far too many Catholic politicians who should be barred from the reception of Holy Communion.
The Archbishop has spoken the Truth. There is not an alternative Truth or option for other bishops or priests to advance. There is no "pastoral" exception to God's Truth.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone had to do what he just did. His brother bishops and priests MUST do the same with respect to other errant public Catholic figures within their jurisdictions.
I trust you will find the following imaginary interchange between an attorney and unnamed bishop an interesting explanation of the Church's actual teaching on this subject.
While this post is much longer than what I generally publish, I URGE ALL WHO READ IT TO POINT OUT TO ME ANYTHING IN THIS INTERCHANGE BETWEEN ATTORNEY AND BISHOP THAT IS NOT TOTALLY CONSISTENT WITH CHURCH TEACHING. I DO NOT WISH TO MISLEAD A SINGLE SOUL. I JUST WANT TO JOIN THOSE COURAGEOUS SHEPHERDS WHO ARE TRYING TO SAVE SOULS AND PROTECT HUMAN LIFE.
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Judge: Counselor would you like to cross examine his Eminence?
Counselor: Yes, indeed. Thank you, your Honor. Bishop we all know how difficult your responsibilities are and the many challenges you face each day ministering to your flock. Even Solomon would be sorely tested.
Bishop: Thank you, counselor.
Counselor: I am going to ask you a series of questions. None of these are trick questions They all have clear and unambiguous answers. All I ask of you is that you respond to each question truthfully.
Bishop: Certainly, I would not do otherwise.
Counselor: I am sure of that. As a Bishop in the Catholic Church, do you believe everything that the Catholic Church teaches?
Bishop: Absolutely – “every issue on faith and morals that is doctrinal in nature and is solemnly or formally proposed by the Church.”
Counselor: You would feel bound to follow Scripture I assume?
Bishop: Without hesitancy.
Counselor: You would consider the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the Code of Canon Law to be authoritative and binding also, am I correct?
Bishop: Of course.
Counselor: In fact, when you were ordained a bishop, you took an oath, did you not, to “maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law”?
Bishop: Yes, I did.
Counselor: Now let us get a few essential Truths of the Catholic Faith on the record before we proceed further.
Bishop: Fine.
Counselor: Am I correct that the primary mission of the Catholic Church is the salvation of souls?
Bishop: Yes. That tenet is embodied in the Code of Canon Law in Canon 1752.
Counselor: Would I be accurate to conclude then that nothing is more important to you as a Bishop than the salvation of every soul?
Bishop: You would be one hundred per cent correct.
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