Bp. Harrington's statement - politicians/Communion

[_veritas]

Bishop Bernard Harrington from the Winona, MN diocese, recently published this statement on Pro-Choice politicians and the reception of Holy Communion:

“Catholic Politicians are Called to be Pro-Life!”
catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?RecNum=6049

Of note (to me anyway) were the following quotes:

Catholics in all walks of life are called to have an “unequivocal commitment to the legal protection of human life from the moment of conception until natural birth.” In the light of this teaching of the U. S. Bishops no Catholic can support abortion rights and believe that he or she has a correctly formed conscience.

I am not sure what the implications are for this statement that someone has a mal-formed conscience–this would seem to say that if someone did in fact have a correctly formed conscience, they would never ever consider being pro-choice. Thus, it seems to me that the conclusion could be drawn that anyone who is pro-choice has a mal-formed conscience, and therefore has a reduced culpability in their sinfulness (ie, could they really be in mortal sin?). This line of the bishop’s concerns me!

The citation from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians puts the obligation squarely upon the Catholic politician. “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord”. In light of this statement, any Catholic who steadfastly holds forth in support of abortion should not approach the communion rail.

…It is the responsibility of both the individual politician to take the steps necessary to form a correct conscience as well as it is the responsibility of both the bishop or individual pastor of the person to counsel, to assist and if necessary to confront the individual who errs in this way. There is no question that those who are in serious sin should not receive the Eucharist until they have turned away from sin and been reconciled within the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This is good, and the bishop does state as well that it is within the right of any bishop to actively deny Communion to an individual in manifest unrepentent grave sin… however, it seems to be clear that at this time the bishop himself does not choose to do so.

It is time that we recognize that morality and ethics determines what we believe and not our political party. Are we Catholic first or are we adherents to a political party and then Catholic?

YES!

Thoughts anyone?

+veritas+

 

[Bizob]

Its nice to hear a Bishop standing up and being a true Pastor. :clapping: