Cuomo’s Right to Holy Communion Is a Private Matter, Bishop Says

[Catholic_Press]

ALBANY — One of New York State’s leading Roman Catholic bishops said on Tuesday that it was not appropriate for church officials to comment on whether specific elected officials should be allowed to receive holy communion.

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[swat]

An elected official is somehow different from the rest of us.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Disgusting, really. Sadly, not surprising, though.

 

[ProVobis]

Church law is explicit on this. No one is allowed to receive communion if he or she is not properly disposed, politician or not.

 

[EmperorNapoleon]

Church law is explicit on this. No one is allowed to receive communion if he or she is not properly disposed, politician or not.

That doesn’t mean the Bishop should hold a press conference announcing your sins to the world and/or that you have been excommunicated. It reeks of the undermining, if not flat-out violation, of the Seal of the Confessional.

 

[canadianguy1143]

That doesn’t mean the Bishop should hold a press conference announcing your sins to the world and/or that you have been excommunicated. It reeks of the undermining, if not flat-out violation, of the Seal of the Confessional.

Violation of the Seal of Confession? He hasn’t confessed anything. You can’t break the seal of confession even remotely when the sinner in question hasn’t confessed their sins.

 

[puzzleannie]

It is a private matter between the communicant and his confessor, or on a grave issue such as abortion, between the bishop and the communicant because it deals with matter for confession. Period. Since excommunication is an action taken for the healing of the communicant’s soul, it is not a public matter, nor is it up for public discussion. Would you like the bishop to publish a list in your local paper of all Catholics in the diocese who are not worthy to approach communion?

 

[dans0622]

The penalty of “excommunication” is not applicable here and no one is advocating that the Governor should be excommunicated. Yes, it is a technical, legal distinction but the denial of communion because of the presence of the circumstances in c. 915 is not excommunication and is not a canonical penalty.

The seal of confession is also not an issue. Canon 915 deals with public behavior of individuals. I know what the issues are with the Governor and he certainly hasn’t confessed to me and no one has told me what he has confessed. Even if he did confess, it would be irrelevant if he continued to “obstinately persist in manifest grave sin.”

Relatedly, the “this is a private matter” defense is also beside the point. If the Bishop wants to keep his conversations with the Governor private, great. But, at least have the discussion and take the requirements of the Faith and law seriously. If this is done, we will also see public results: the Governor will amend his ways, regularize his situation, and be welcomed to Communion…or not.

“The Vatican” has given guidelines on how to handle situations of those who are divorced and remarried and their admission to Communion. While the Governor is not remarried, those guidelines would seem to apply to him. At least, I personally see no reason why they should not. vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/intrptxt/documents/rc_pc_intrptxt_doc_20000706_declaration_en.html

Dan

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

I think Mr. Cuomo should know better.

It’s lovely that he makes the attempt to go to Mass. But he should know, and should have been taught when he prepared for his first communion years ago, that 1 mortal sin prevents us from receiving. (all of us)

The pastor of his parish might want to speak to him about that.

Sandra Lee, though to my knowledge is not Catholic. The pastor should probably speak to her about that as well.

 

[Ender]

It is a private matter between the communicant and his confessor, or on a grave issue such as abortion, between the bishop and the communicant because it deals with matter for confession. Period. Since excommunication is an action taken for the healing of the communicant’s soul, it is not a public matter, nor is it up for public discussion.

While the comments of dans0622 were excellent I’ll add this point: the issue comes up because the sin is public, not private, thus there is scandal involved. The sight of a public sinner publicly receiving communion is scandalous and canon 915 was meant to address this situation.

What is missing here is the recognition that public sin requires public rejection of that sin. Therefore it is not simply a question of doubt as to whether the governor has repented of his sin; public penance is obligatory.

*But with regard to public sinners, as we have already said, they were never absolved until they had performed public penance. *(Catechism of Trent)

Would you like the bishop to publish a list in your local paper of all Catholics in the diocese who are not worthy to approach communion?

I would like the bishop to behave as if he believed what the Church teaches.

Ender

 

[crohnie4life]

Maybe Cuomo made a very nice contribution to the church and that is why he is getting a free pass?? Money seems to talk these days. I’m just saying…who knows. It’s between him and his maker.