Pope tells Argentine Bishops to use doc restricting communion for pro-aborts

[ProVobis]

Perhaps. To me it is more of an issue of too infrequent reception of the Sacrament of Confession than it is too frequent reception of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Throughout the Tradition of the Church, frequent reception of Holy Communion has been encouraged.

This is true. Too bad most think they’ve haven’t committed any mortal sins and all they have to do is to go to Communion to absolve them of their “venial” sins.

 

[theophilus1985]

Yes! You cannot be Catholic and pro-‘Choice.’ I cannot express my annoyance at Joe Biden last fall when he claimed to believe the Church’s teaching on abortion but didn’t want to “impose his beliefs” on others. (“umm…You’re a politician. That’s your chosen vocation, and now your saying that murder is none of your business?”) God willing, similar measures will be taken here by the North American bishops.

 

[marymary1975]

I hope you’re right, especially provide guidance to the English-speaking countries, where strangely enough (or at least it seems that way) almost everyone receives or feels forced to receive. Unlike the half of Hispanic or Polish congregations who do not present themselves for communion. I feel too much arrogance on the part of the Anglophones is part of the problem.

 

[marymary1975]

Gee, I wonder how priests can put this into action with all parishioners?
The results would be very interesting…

pope Francis is from Argentina, believe me in latinoamerica putting this into action with all parishioners is not difficult at all. First priest down there are very, very well familiarized with all their parishioners. They put a lot of effort into knowing each parishioner and the default rule there is that you have to confess in your parish. This results in the priest knowing very well everybody and when you know quite well all your parishioners is quite easy to put this into action. Second the vast majority priests in latinoamerica don’t think twice in denying communion to people so again this becomes very easy down there, and believe me down there they will deny not only to politicians but to regular parishioners too.

 

[marymary1975]

Perhaps. To me it is more of an issue of too infrequent reception of the Sacrament of Confession than it is too frequent reception of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Throughout the Tradition of the Church, frequent reception of Holy Communion has been encouraged.

Some direct and frankly, blunt, guidance on the issue of abortion supporting politicians and Catholics who vote for them would be welcome indeed.

I don’t really agree with this. I am from latinoamerica and down there the reason of infrequent communion is because the church puts a lot of emphasis to the people that you can’t go to communion if you have any mortal sins. They even put posters stating the sins that if you have not confessed you are not allowed into communion, and priests constantly remind their parishioners that if you go to communion in mortal sin you are receiving your own condemation. On top of that, as I just said priests down there don’t think twice before denying comunion and the fact that they tend to know most of their parishioners makes it very easy so people down there are very aware of not going to communion if they are in mortal sin and most won’t dare because they’ve seen the priest refusing communion to someone and don’t want that happen to them.

 

[zz912]

Gee, I wonder how priests can put this into action with all parishioners?
The results would be very interesting…

Well the situation is fundamentally different for regular parishioners vs. public officials. Regular parishioners do not have forums to voice their views on others, nor do they vote or act in the public sphere. So manifest, grave/mortal sins from public officials is categorically different for regular parishioners.

But I do agree that priests need to remind their flocks quite often of their need to go to Confession, and to not present themselves for Communion if they have mortal sins.

 

[Elizium23]

I don’t really agree with this. I am from latinoamerica and down there the reason of infrequent communion is because the church puts a lot of emphasis to the people that you can’t go to communion if you have any mortal sins. They even put posters stating the sins that if you have not confessed you are not allowed into communion, and priests constantly remind their parishioners that if you go to communion in mortal sin you are receiving your own condemation. On top of that, as I just said priests down there don’t think twice before denying comunion and the fact that they tend to know most of their parishioners makes it very easy so people down there are very aware of not going to communion if they are in mortal sin and most won’t dare because they’ve seen the priest refusing communion to someone and don’t want that happen to them.

I can only hope that with the continued penetration of Latino culture into the USA and other areas, that this attitude will follow them and permeate the areas where we have had quite the opposite experience (our leaders love to brag about how they receive the Eucharist with the same mouth they preach the Culture of Death, and the same hands that sign bills furthering the population control agenda.)

 

[jwinch2]

I don’t really agree with this. I am from latinoamerica and down there the reason of infrequent communion is because the church puts a lot of emphasis to the people that you can’t go to communion if you have any mortal sins. They even put posters stating the sins that if you have not confessed you are not allowed into communion, and priests constantly remind their parishioners that if you go to communion in mortal sin you are receiving your own condemation. On top of that, as I just said priests down there don’t think twice before denying comunion and the fact that they tend to know most of their parishioners makes it very easy so people down there are very aware of not going to communion if they are in mortal sin and most won’t dare because they’ve seen the priest refusing communion to someone and don’t want that happen to them.

I understand where you are coming from. For the record, I would never support someone who is in a state of mortal sin receiving communion. Never. But that is not what I was saying. The simple truth of the matter is that this is not an issue of too frequent communion, but rather too infrequent confession, too little effort towards proper formation of conscience, and too little effort towards Christian perfection, for which we are all suppose to strive.

 

[Cojuanco]

I wonder when American Bishops and Cardinals will follow this rule? The only one I ever heard about was the Bishop in Kansas that refused the Sacraments to Sibelius, when she, as Governor of Kansas, supported abortion…She has since authored the Obamacare abortion and contraception policies and forced them on all of us, and she still proclaims herself as a Catholic. I guess she must be of the cafeteria faction. To my knowledge, no other Bishop has denied her the Sacraments, even though she is now resident in the D.C. area. I do not know if she is a church goer.

Bishop of Albany has done the same to Cuomo for openly shacking up with his mistress, plus gay ‘marriage’. And there was a case in South Texas, can’t remember if Gomez was involvedm

 

[Lucky7]

Yes. Though some bishops have claimed the Canon is not intended to be used in that way.

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/cdfworthycom.htm
therealpresence.org/eucharst/holycom/denial.htm
politicsdaily.com/2009/05/06/archbishop-wuerl-why-i-won-t-deny-pelosi-communion/

Perhaps the Holy Father will provide some clear guidance on the issue.

With the latest news about the Pope not distributing communion, I’m not sure it’s clear yet. It sounds more like Bishops shouldn’t distribute communion, but that others can.

Maybe he’ll make that clearer still.

 

[marymary1975]

I understand where you are coming from. For the record, I would never support someone who is in a state of mortal sin receiving communion. Never. But that is not what I was saying. The simple truth of the matter is that this is not an issue of too frequent communion, but rather too infrequent confession, too little effort towards proper formation of conscience, and too little effort towards Christian perfection, for which we are all suppose to strive.

Oh ok, now I totally understand what you mean. That is true. But I have to say that at least in my parish confessions are only Saturdays from 2 -5. I think churches should have confessions more frequently and work a little more teaching people with regard to striking towards Christian perfection because around my parish I find that people are very confused on these issues.

 

[jwinch2]

Oh ok, now I totally understand what you mean. That is true. But I have to say that at least in my parish confessions are only Saturdays from 2 -5. I think churches should have confessions more frequently and work a little more teaching people with regard to striking towards Christian perfection because around my parish I find that people are very confused on these issues.

We are in complete agreement on that. I would love to see more frequent times for confession and more frequent use of the sacrament, starting with myself. When the lines for the confessional are approaching the length of the lines for Holy Communion, we will be on the right track.

 

[marymary1975]

When the lines for the confessional are approaching the length of the lines for Holy Communion, we will be on the right track.

So true! I don’t understand why in the US they don’t have several priests doing confessions before masses or every afternoon and evenings. The only Saturday schedule seems so inconvenient, and I’ve had priests that seem to be more concerned into getting you out than in doing the confession. I think the church really needs to work on that.

 

[jwinch2]

So true! I don’t understand why in the US they don’t have several priests doing confessions before masses or every afternoon and evenings. The only Saturday schedule seems so inconvenient, and I’ve had priests that seem to be more concerned into getting you out than in doing the confession. I think the church really needs to work on that.

To his credit, the Holy Father has spoken quite strongly about the need to make confession more available since his election. I commend him for this position. Unfortunately, you are correct in that at the parish level, confessions are often not readily available. The Saturday afternoon schedule, probably initially intended to be convenient, has actually become not so convenient in practice.

 

[marymary1975]

To his credit, the Holy Father has spoken quite strongly about the need to make confession more available since his election. I commend him for this position. Unfortunately, you are correct in that at the parish level, confessions are often not readily available. The Saturday afternoon schedule, probably initially intended to be convenient, has actually become not so convenient in practice.

I agree. In fact, I have even complained about that to our priest in our parish and he looked at me like if I was out of mind!

 

[Ender]

With the latest news about the Pope not distributing communion, I’m not sure it’s clear yet. It sounds more like Bishops shouldn’t distribute communion, but that others can.

What the pope is saying is that communion should not be given by the bishops or anyone else. He speaks directly to the bishops and it is their responsibility to enforce that discipline within their individual diocese. I think this fits very well with his decision not to personally give out communion at mass any more. He doesn’t want to provide a photo op of a dissident Catholic politician receiving communion from him, and while we may well believe we know which politicians should not receive it is not the pope’s responsibility to know which people around the world should or should not be included. That is the responsibility of the bishops and I see this as him reminding them of that duty.

Ender

 

[Lucky7]

What the pope is saying is that communion should not be given by the bishops or anyone else. He speaks directly to the bishops and it is their responsibility to enforce that discipline within their individual diocese. I think this fits very well with his decision not to personally give out communion at mass any more. He doesn’t want to provide a photo op of a dissident Catholic politician receiving communion from him, and while we may well believe we know which politicians should not receive it is not the pope’s responsibility to know which people around the world should or should not be included. That is the responsibility of the bishops and I see this as him reminding them of that duty.

Ender

I really am hoping this is what is happening and that the bishops heed his message.

 

[Cojuanco]

I agree. In fact, I have even complained about that to our priest in our parish and he looked at me like if I was out of mind!

Part if the problem is that priests are often busy peopl at the parish level. In Massachusetts, where a priest serving more than one parish is common, it’s even worse. Believe me, if all priests were like Padre Pio this woud no be a problem.

 

[NeedsMercy]

With the exception of the last few posts encouraging more confession, this has to be the saddest, most pathetic thread that I have ever read.

 

[Lucky7]

With the exception of the last few posts encouraging more confession, this has to be the saddest, most pathetic thread that I have ever read.

Why is that NeedsMercy?