Friends,
An Italian newspaper is breaking the story that Cardinal Ratzinger sent a message to Cardinal McCarrick and Bishop Gregory regarding reception of the Eucharist by pro-abortion politicians. This note was sent prior to the U.S. Bishops Conference's statement that each bishop needed to decide what they should do regarding reception of Communion. Well, this Italian newspaper article posted a copy of the note from the prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and it is very clear and unambiguous.
Cardinal Ratzinger states very clearly that pro-abortion politicians should be refused Communion. The local pastor should instruct the public official on the teachings of the Church and admonished him not to come to Communion until he changes his political position. If this politician does come forward however he should be refused. “This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment on the person's subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person's public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.”
The article which references this letter points out that there was a line drawn in the sand by the Vatican, but seemingly the U.S. bishops chose another path. Perhaps there is more here than is currently available, but it seems the U.S. bishops' statement is out of sync with the Vatican.
For those bishops on this list I would appreciate any insight you may have on this and its implications.
On a side note, there is a very interesting section that clarifies the moral weight of abortion over the death penalty. I can't tell you how many Catholics cite the “seamless garment” argument that being pro-abortion is no different than allowing the death penalty. Here is the section of Ratzinger's note clarifying this very point.
3. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.
Read the full article and Cardinal Ratzinger's note here.
This week the U.S. Senate is engaging in the debate on marriage. If you have not already done so, you must contact your U.S. senators. For more information on why this is so important and what you can do to help, click here.
There is much that is demanded of us during these days as the election looms ever closer and the fate of marriage is debated in the Senate. We must be fully engaged in this struggle for clarity in our Catholic faith and the protection of marriage.
God has sent us wise and bold shepherds in our Holy Father and Cardinal Ratzinger. In these days of moral confusion it is refreshing to hear clarity such as this. Please work and pray for a renewal of moral clarity in U.S. politics.
(This update courtesy of Politics and Virtue.)
