Rome Really Needs To Get Involved on This One [Akin]

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The U.S. bishops continue to hold diverse opinions about whether or not canon law requires one to withhold Communion from pro-abortion politicians.
Many, out of an apparent desire not to alienate those who hold pro-abortion views–as part of a “woo them back gently” strategy–resist the idea that Communion should be withheld from such politicians.
The replies given by some bishops involve arguments that strike one variously as (a) dodges of the real issue, (b) subversive of canon 915, or (c) simply incoherent.

For the record, canon 915 states:
Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy Communion.
This is the Church’s law. Yet some quotes from bishops in the media give the appearance that the respective bishops have never heard of this canon, which is difficult to believe after the “Can John Kerry receive Communion?” controversy of the 2004 election.
Part of the problem we are encountering at present is that bishops do not like to be pitted against each other in the press and, since there is not a consensus among them about whether canon 915 should be applied to the case of pro-abortion politicians, many are engaging in diplomatic contortions to avoid bringing the disagreement among them into sharp public focus on the eve of an election season.
So we have a significant disagreement among Church leaders on how the Church’s law is to be applied.
Well, that’s why God created the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts.
We need an authentic interpretation on this point–one way or the other.
For myself, I am strongly of the opinion that both canon and moral law require the withholding of Communion from a politician with a pro-abortion voting record (even if it’s with an “I’m personally opposed, but” dodge).
But Rome needs to sort this out for the good of the Church–both here in American and wherever in the world abortion is being promoted, which includes Rome’s own back yard: Europe.
It’s time for the Church to take a stand on this, for as canonist Ed Peters writes:
We are living through a terrible, perhaps unprecedented, unraveling of respect for Jesus in the Eucharist. Such a crisis compels all of us, I think, to examine our consciences for how our sins might have contributed to this disaster.
GET THE STORY.

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Cardinal McCarrick in my opinion should not have a voice on this matter at all. He has his own problems with his allowing pedophile priests to be moved from parish to parish…More reasons to pray.
 
Jimmy never disappoints. I for one would like to see more Roman intervention in places where various abuses have taken place. Maybe I’m not aware of enough measures, but it didn’t seem to me like JP2, God love him, involved himself much in fixing the priestly scandals or liturgical abuses of the world. And here is an issue of canon law being brushed under the table.
 
MarcoPolo said:
I for one would like to see more Roman intervention in places where various abuses have taken place.
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I agree, but Rome undoubtedly sees itself as the custodian of all Catholics worldwide, not as our policeman alone. We tend to see problems in America as THE problems, whereas Rome may well see them as part of the Church’s many problems worldwide. But, it would be worthwhile to refer it to Rome and hope for the best.
 
The trouble is that the Church doesn’t work like a corporation. The Vatican is NOT just the home office and the pope is not the CEO. Such issues are deliberately not addressed quickly. The bishops have jurisdiction in their own diocese and are responsible for enforcing canon law there. Only under extraordinary circumstances does Rome intervene in the affairs of a diocese. I don’t think Rome will say anything about the issue unless, perhaps, one or several of the US bishops actually makes an appeal directly for clarification. Until it comes from the BISHOPS, I don’t think Rome will respond to lay concerns.
 
Richardols said:
I agree, but Rome undoubtedly sees itself as the custodian of all Catholics worldwide, not as our policeman alone. We tend to see problems in America as THE problems, whereas Rome may well see them as part of the Church’s many problems worldwide.
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Agreed. That’s why I said “the world”.
 
I’m guessing Rome as bigger problems to worry about. US Catholics make up 6% of the world Catholic population; we need to stop acting like everything should be done our way on our schedule.
 
Remember that all those bishops were specifically chosen by Rome for us. They need to show some responsibility.
 
krokal said:
I’m guessing Rome as bigger problems to worry about. US Catholics make up 6% of the world Catholic population; we need to stop acting like everything should be done our way on our schedule.
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I think our leaders should be concerned about 100% of the Church, not 94%. And I also think other posters are suggesting things should be done Christ’s way, not America’s.
 
We need to disolve the USCCB. They are useless. The role of Bishop has evolved. They are no longer a reliable teacher and guardian of Church teachings & not be taken too serious. They have relegated themselves to a Ceremonial figure.🤷
 
Why don’t we just get rid of all Bishops while we’re at it. :rolleyes:

Last time I checked, you, as an individual, don’t decide the worthiness of a Bishop to hold his office.
 
Godi said:
We need to disolve the USCCB. They are useless. The role of Bishop has evolved. They are no longer a reliable teacher and guardian of Church teachings & not be taken too serious. They have relegated themselves to a Ceremonial figure.🤷
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Note that there is difference between the USCCB and your bishop.

You are obliged to respect your bishop and follow his teaching in so far as it does not go against the teaching of the Pope [note the Pope, not some anonymous monsignor who pitched his latest good idea to a reporter.]

The USCCB on the other hand is a chew and chat society with no authority. It’s good ideas take affect only if promulgated by your bishop, or by the Pope.
 
The whole point of Rome is to define and clarify the true faith to the Christian flock. This silence on such a vital matter is indeed disturbing.
 
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