Giving Holy Communion to the unworthy is a mortal sin, says Archbishop

[boppaid]

The only occasions I would refuse would be to someone I knew wasn’t Catholic or someone in the vein of a pro-abortion politician or Rainbow Sash member.

What if that pro-abortion politician had just gone to confession immediately prior to that mass and planned to change his or her voting record the next time a vote happened? I don’t think any EM could honestly know the soul of anyone.

 

[boppaid]

He is not saying that anyone, not even the priest, is to judge the state of a persons soul. He said that if AFTER personally counseling the person regarding his/her position, the politician did not change his/her position he would tell the politician not to present him/herself for Communion. If AFTER both counseling and being told not to present him/herself for Communion, the politician still insisted on presenting him/herself for Communion, he/she should be denied.

The politician is not being denied because he/she is in a state of sin (yes, he/she could have just been to Confession) but rather because he/she is making a public scandal out of our most precious Sacrament. This is not really different from the decision of many bishops to deny Communion to the Rainbow Sash bunch who show up at Pentacost. They are coming to Communion in an unworthy manner (not necessarity an unworthy state) and are denied.

Okay. Sorry I responded earlier before I read this clarification. this makes more sense. Thanks!

 

[LilyM]

What if that pro-abortion politician had just gone to confession immediately prior to that mass and planned to change his or her voting record the next time a vote happened? I don’t think any EM could honestly know the soul of anyone.

Public scandal remains public scandal until such time as it is publicly repented or reversed - when the politician comes out PUBLICLY and says they’re no longer pro-abortion then they can commune again.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I think I’m worthy to receive Communion when I do, just as the Eucharistic II prayer says;

In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

God counts us worthy, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

and also, I believe the prayer that we say just before we receive.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed

I believe God makes us worthy.

Are we worthy on our own, no we are not. But that’s what the Good News of Jesus Christ is all about.

Jim

 

[Sure]

Just so we’re all clear, this has NOTHING to do with judging the state of a person’s soul or whether they “feel” worthy. This regards PUBLIC actions which are scandalous and remain an obstacle to Communion until they are PUBLICALLY recanted.

The Archbishop is correct here and no matter how much whining there is about it being unfair, it remains the clear law of the Church.

Rather than bicker about what we feel comfortable with, let’s figure out ways to implement this in parishes across the country so we can start protecting our Lord from being defiled.

 

[lak611]

Rather than bicker about what we feel comfortable with, let’s figure out ways to implement this in parishes across the country so we can start protecting our Lord from being defiled.

We can also pray for these politicians so that the Lord changes their hearts and they accept the Catholic position and become pro-life.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

CARP!
ask him if jesus would have turned anyone away.
We are suppost to be jesus on earth here for him.

Quite frankly, this tired old pablum gets trotted out all the time and it rarely ever makes a substantive contribution to a debate.

For instance, wasn’t Jesus the one who said not to cast pearls before swine? Well, I’ll just do what Jesus would have done.

Or isn’t he the one who used a bullwhip to drive out those who were not treating the house of the Lord properly? I’ll just do what Jesus would have done.

Didn’t Jesus point out groups of people as poisonous influences on those around them? I’ll just do what Jesus would have done.

Why do those using WWJD never seem to appeal to these examples of Jesus’ conduct and sayings?