K
Kathryn_Ann
Guest
I’m really hoping for help on this issue. I’ve seen a number of news articles about priests or bishops who have been condemned (by some in the Catholic media) for giving Holy Communion to widely known “Pro-Choice” politicians who call themselves Catholics, or, in one case, giving Communion to a person from another faith.
What is the official Church ruling on* knowingly *giving Communion to someone who is adamantly and very publicly “Pro Choice” OR knowingly giving Communion to someone who is not Catholic? (In one recent news report, the situation involved a funeral Mass, and giving Communion to a family member of the deceased who was from another faith.) I do not know if the officiant knew the person approaching for Communion.
In some cases, well known Bishops are often asked by the media to make a statement about politicians who continuously stand up for “Pro Choice,” laws and whether they would with-hold Communion from them.
I’m just wanting to know what the Church teaching is on this. I would think that in many situations, the priest or bishop cannot know who is approaching him for Holy Eucharist, nor whether they are in a state of grace. That is usually up to the person to judge his or her own worthiness to receive Communion.
But for those approaching the priest or bishop for Holy Communion, who are constantly in the news, (members of congress or the senate, public figures who, although Catholic, still insist on publicly stating they are Pro Choice, or are in other ways known to be categorically opposed to any known Church teaching) is the priest or bishop in fact supposed to with-hold Communion from these people?
Thank you for any help on this. Blessings and peace to all.
What is the official Church ruling on* knowingly *giving Communion to someone who is adamantly and very publicly “Pro Choice” OR knowingly giving Communion to someone who is not Catholic? (In one recent news report, the situation involved a funeral Mass, and giving Communion to a family member of the deceased who was from another faith.) I do not know if the officiant knew the person approaching for Communion.
In some cases, well known Bishops are often asked by the media to make a statement about politicians who continuously stand up for “Pro Choice,” laws and whether they would with-hold Communion from them.
I’m just wanting to know what the Church teaching is on this. I would think that in many situations, the priest or bishop cannot know who is approaching him for Holy Eucharist, nor whether they are in a state of grace. That is usually up to the person to judge his or her own worthiness to receive Communion.
But for those approaching the priest or bishop for Holy Communion, who are constantly in the news, (members of congress or the senate, public figures who, although Catholic, still insist on publicly stating they are Pro Choice, or are in other ways known to be categorically opposed to any known Church teaching) is the priest or bishop in fact supposed to with-hold Communion from these people?
Thank you for any help on this. Blessings and peace to all.
