Archbishop Gregory says he won’t deny Biden communion. How will Catholics respond?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mercyalways
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mercyalways

Guest
The title is from this article in the Catholic World Report:


In 2004, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then head of the Church’s doctrinal office, told U.S. bishops that any Catholic politician who votes for abortion was in grave sin and must be denied the Holy Eucharist.
At the time, one cardinal disagreed with Ratzinger, asking if it was 'pastorally wise and prudent” .
That cardinal was Theodore McCarrick.
Today Archbishop Gregory of Washington announced he will give Biden the Holy Eucharist, which would appear to flout canon 915.

I am in such distress over this, but what can any of us do, other than the usual constant of more prayer and offering up of sacrifices?
 
I think the thread title should have ended with, “How will God respond?”
 
Bishop Gregory himself along with child molester ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick pushed for this paradigm (in principle) years ago.

My response?

Pray AND fast for the Church.

From St. Matthew’s Gospel regarding a different but likewise difficult context . . .
MATTHEW 17:21 “But this kind does not go out except by prayer AND fasting.”
Click to expand...
Emphasis mine (and I have explained elsewhere why this disputed verse belongs in Scripture.)
 
Last edited:
Why be distressed over this? I feel such relief when I know that something is out of my hands and in those of God.
 
FrankFletcher said:
Why be distressed over this? I feel such relief when I know that something is out of my hands and in those of God.
Click to expand...
Is it out of your hands? You believe that everyone has to defend the faith (both clergy and laity), so when an Archbishop decides to commune a guy who’s been officiating at same-sex marriages, shouldn’t you rightly oppose that Archbishop and call for his removal?
 
If people don’t like what he’s doing they should respond by not giving the Archbishop any money.
 
Last edited:
mercyalways said:
In 2004, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then head of the Church’s doctrinal office, told U.S. bishops that any Catholic politician who votes for abortion was in grave sin and must be denied the Holy Eucharist.
Click to expand...
The tragedy for this generation of Catholics is that the radical traditionalists have so fiercely fought to promote that Popes aren’t infallible and they can be wrong so it’s ok to dismiss them. Citing the words of a Pope no longer carries much weight among many,
 
FrankFletcher said:
I feel such relief when I know that something is out of my hands and in those of God.
Click to expand...
It is not “out of your hands” in a certain sense.

We have not because we ask not.
1st CORINTHIANS 12:13-27 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single organ, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, 25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Click to expand...
 
ReaderT said:
48.png
FrankFletcher:
Why be distressed over this? I feel such relief when I know that something is out of my hands and in those of God.
Click to expand...
Is it out of your hands? You believe that everyone has to defend the faith (both clergy and laity), so when an Archbishop decides to commune a guy who’s been officiating at same-sex marriages, shouldn’t you rightly oppose that Archbishop and call for his removal?
Click to expand...
Even if this is true, I write a letter and then let it go. What else can laity do, practically speaking?
 
FrankFletcher said:
I write a letter and then let it go.
Click to expand...
Fair enough Frank.

I figured you were too good a man to be apathetic.
But I wanted to clarify as there are lurkers on here that might not know you and think you are not involved.

Keep up the good work!
 
I think it’s best that Biden not present himself for communion regardless of what the bishop allows. Why draw more controversy?
 
ReaderT said:
48.png
FrankFletcher:
Why be distressed over this? I feel such relief when I know that something is out of my hands and in those of God.
Click to expand...
Is it out of your hands? You believe that everyone has to defend the faith (both clergy and laity), so when an Archbishop decides to commune a guy who’s been officiating at same-sex marriages, shouldn’t you rightly oppose that Archbishop and call for his removal?
Click to expand...
No. It is the authority of the Pope choosing Gregory as Archbishop and Cardinal. I am humble and obedient to the Pope.

If Gregory decided to deny Biden Communion I would accept that decision as well.

I’m not a busy body. I don’t really “guard the faith,” I accept the faith.
 
Feanor2 said:
No. It is the authority of the Pope choosing Gregory as Archbishop and Cardinal.
Click to expand...
Just because the pope installed someone doesn’t make him free from sin. A pope also installed Gregory’s predecessor, Theodore McCarrick. When we see someone acting scandalously (either McCarrick or Gregory), we can’t remain silent.
 
Last edited:
Feanor2 said:
I’m not a busy body. I don’t really “guard the faith,”
Click to expand...
cough

So you’re not your brother’s keeper?

Also it’s astounding to me that a self-identified Catholic could announce proudly that he doesn’t guard the faith. As if such an attitude, which guarantees harm to others through failure to hold abusive authorities accountable, is anything to be proud of.

PS it’s not being a “busy body” to stand up for the faith. And it’s not being “humble” to tolerate spiritual abuse of other people.
 
Last edited:
Motherwit said:
How about you answer the question? I’m interested in seeing your reasoning.
Click to expand...
Abortion is an inherent evil and mask wearing may or may not be a prudent response to an illness.

I think he refused to answer it because it would be obvious to any thinking person and since the person who asked it can write correct English and therefore not dumb, we can assume that it’s some kind of troll.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top