Another Catholic bishop has lined up on the side of Vatican direction and stated that he would refuse Communion to politicians who publicly deny their faith on abortion or homosexuality. Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger of Evansville Indiana said in a talk to the local Rotarians, that Catholic politicians who vocally support abortion rights or gay marriage are not in communion with Catholic teachings.
Gettelfinger said that though Catholic voters had the responsibility of voting in accordance with Catholic principles, reception of Communion was up to the conscience of the individual. However, politicians or other public figures who publicly supported abortion and criticized the teachings of the Church would be refused. The bishop added that no one in his diocese would be refused under those conditions. “I know of no one who would be so brash in this community. No one,” he said.
He called on Catholic politicians to guard their integrity. “At the risk of losing your jobs, I insist that you be driven by personal integrity… Be true at the risk of defeat.”
