My bishop wiggles gently

[RCEllis]

I just have to vent.

My diocesian newspaper published a lead editorial from Bishop George Fitzsimons of the Salina Kansas Diocese which in about 10 column inches manages to oh-so-gently say that he will not direct his priests to withhold Holy Communion from those who take and publically hold pro-abortion positions.

He spends most of the l editorial talking about how Catholics in political life must “examine their conscience” and “face the facts”; that they “have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good”. But then, in the middle of the editoral he says “Stating unequivocal commitment to protect the dignity of human life and to preach the Gospel in difficult times, it does not seem appropriate to make the Eucharist a battle ground on a political issue even in the light of the complexities of the situation”.

So. “Catholics in political life” must take a stand, but the bishop won’t.

And apparently any defense of the sanctity of the Eucharist is making it a “battle ground on a political issue…”.

Bah. Lets take the Eucharist out on the street and deal it out to all. Why withhold it from non-Catholics? For that matter, why not send a bag or two to Al Quada. Give them something to do between beheadings. Certainly lets not make a political issue of it.

Clint

 

[Joanna]

RCEllis:

I just have to vent.

My diocesian newspaper published a lead editorial from Bishop George Fitzsimons of the Salina Kansas Diocese which in about 10 column inches manages to oh-so-gently say that he will not direct his priests to withhold Holy Communion from those who take and publically hold pro-abortion positions.

He spends most of the l editorial talking about how Catholics in political life must “examine their conscience” and “face the facts”; that they “have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good”. But then, in the middle of the editoral he says “Stating unequivocal commitment to protect the dignity of human life and to preach the Gospel in difficult times, it does not seem appropriate to make the Eucharist a battle ground on a political issue even in the light of the complexities of the situation”.

So. “Catholics in political life” must take a stand, but the bishop won’t.

And apparently any defense of the sanctity of the Eucharist is making it a “battle ground on a political issue…”.

Bah. Lets take the Eucharist out on the street and deal it out to all. Why withhold it from non-Catholics? For that matter, why not send a bag or two to Al Quada. Give them something to do between beheadings. Certainly lets not make a political issue of it.

Clint

You sound VERY angry. I don’t blame you. In fact, I
agree with you; aside from your last statement. A bit ironical, I presume?

Seems the sanctity of the Eucharist may be waived for the higher purpose of being oh so politically correct. Ah-oh; seems you are not alone when it comes to sarcasm.

When a bit cooler, how about a nice letter to your bishop? I hope our bishops get lots of letters to that effect. Maybe, if they realized they were leading a vast army, they’d not only stand up but lead the charge, like at Lepanto?!.

 

[chrisg93]

The American Life League is/has contacted all Bishops with a strong message asking them to be courageous and defend The Eucharist. I think they deserve our support. Thank you for your post and for reminding us of this important issue.

 

[Keath_Wade]

I am not an expert, but I would think it would be difficult to deny someone who presented themselves for the Eucharist. What if, unbeknown to the celebrant, the individual involved had a change of heart 10 minutes ago as he or she was listening to the homily and is now pro-life? What if he or she actually went to confession the day before at another parish and had a major conversion experience during the sacrament? There would be no way to know if something like this had or not happened or what was in their heart when the person was there to receive. Perhaps it might be preferable to try to create an opportunity to discuss the individual’s position on respect for life with them and also whether they should be receiving the Eucharist at some unhurried less public time.
Just my own thoughts, I hope not in conflict with the magisterium.

Keath Wade

 

[RCEllis]

Regarding a change of heart:

The issue here is not simply the individual’s position - it is the person’s PUBLIC position.

An individual who has publicly promoted the freedom to abort children is clearly under obligation to publish his change of heart before presenting himself for Holy Communion, lest he bring scandal to The Church.

Clint

 

[LauraL]

Clint,

I think you need to write a letter to the editor, expressing exactly what you’ve said here. And God bless you!

 

[Bizob]

LauraL:

Clint,

I think you need to write a letter to the editor, expressing exactly what you’ve said here. And God bless you!

You might want to leave out the part about Al Quada though…

 

[dumb_ox_1]

RCEllis:

But then, in the middle of the editoral he says “Stating unequivocal commitment to protect the dignity of human life and to preach the Gospel in difficult times, it does not seem appropriate to make the Eucharist a battle ground on a political issue even in the light of the complexities of the situation”.

Interpretation: 1) I can’t think for myself, I can only recite the party-line mantra of Cardinal McCarrick and Bishop Wilton Gregory, and 2) I’m a Democrat and I’m not going to follow Canon Law if it means Democrats might get hurt at the polls.

RCEllis:

So. “Catholics in political life” must take a stand, but the bishop won’t.

And apparently any defense of the sanctity of the Eucharist is making it a “battle ground on a political issue…”.

Bah. Lets take the Eucharist out on the street and deal it out to all. Why withhold it from non-Catholics? For that matter, why not send a bag or two to Al Quada. Give them something to do between beheadings. Certainly lets not make a political issue of it.

McCarrick and his drones are brilliant, aren’t they? I’ve never seen so many obtuse minds.

Excellent post.

 

[Antonio_B]

RCEllis:

I just have to vent.

My diocesian newspaper published a lead editorial from Bishop George Fitzsimons of the Salina Kansas Diocese which in about 10 column inches manages to oh-so-gently say that he will not direct his priests to withhold Holy Communion from those who take and publically hold pro-abortion positions.

He spends most of the l editorial talking about how Catholics in political life must “examine their conscience” and “face the facts”; that they “have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good”. But then, in the middle of the editoral he says “Stating unequivocal commitment to protect the dignity of human life and to preach the Gospel in difficult times, it does not seem appropriate to make the Eucharist a battle ground on a political issue even in the light of the complexities of the situation”.

So. “Catholics in political life” must take a stand, but the bishop won’t.

And apparently any defense of the sanctity of the Eucharist is making it a “battle ground on a political issue…”.

Bah. Lets take the Eucharist out on the street and deal it out to all. Why withhold it from non-Catholics? For that matter, why not send a bag or two to Al Quada. Give them something to do between beheadings. Certainly lets not make a political issue of it.

Clint

You sound very angry but I won’t blame you since I’m as angry as you are on this issue. I never thought I would ever see the day when some of our shepherds do not have the courage to stand up for the moral teachings of our Church! Bishops are suppose to teach the Truth, not equivocate when the secular world is attacking the sanctity of life and promoting the culture of death!

Antonio :banghead:

 

[Joanna]

:tiphat: Hats off to Most Reverend John F. Donnoghue, Most Reverend Robert J. Baker and Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis! They are stand up bishops IMHO. They, the bishops of Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta and Charleston, SC issued a statement that essentially bars pro-abortion politicians from reception of the Eucharist.

spiritdaily.com/atlanta2.htm