The issue of Joe Biden receiving communion has been receiving much attention, especially since Archbishop Gregory of Washington, D.C. has said he will allow him to receive the Eucharist. In the larger context, it isn’t just about Biden but about the other pro-abortion Catholic politicians such as Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry who present themselves for communion.
To be sure this an issue for the clergy to address, however, as an orthodox Catholic involved in what could be called “evangelization” through teaching in RCIA and other efforts I can bear witness to some of the implications of the situation. It negatively affects the understanding and acceptance of our basic Catholic beliefs.
Implications
The latest Pew Center poll shows that up to two-thirds of self-identified Catholics believe that the Mass is nothing more than a communion service and the bread and wine are just symbols of Jesus’ Body and Blood. That is the same belief as most Protestants. That viewpoint totally ignores the actual words of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels, chapter 6 of John’s gospel and Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The belief in the true presence is the major identifier of the Catholics to the rest of the world, but apparently not for many Catholics themselves.
As Catholics, we are called to be a witness to the faith and to be part of the “new evangelization”. From that perspective, the Pew study data shows that the majority of Catholics do not believe in the “source and summit” of our faith. The question can be raised as to How can we live up and model the faith to meet our evangelization obligation if we don’t believe in this core doctrine?
Beyond the belief in the true presence is what can be described as a casual attitude toward the Eucharist. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI noted that a casual attitude is at the heart of the Church moral crisis and the “We must do all we can to protect the gift of the Holy Eucharist from abuse”. So, what does this all have to do with the communion issue for pro-abortion Catholic politicians?
Why a Scandal?
Many are using the term scandal to describe the president-elect receiving communion, The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as “an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil”. The person who gives scandal becomes a tempter of others and can cause others to fall into sin. The Catechism also notes that the scandal is greater according to the authority of the one scandalizing.
Because of a politician’s high profile and authority when he or she advocates for and votes pro-abortion a message is sent that does indeed provide “temptation” for others to support abortion. There can be no “sugar-coating”, the Church considers abortion a grave sin and intrinsic evil.
A practicing Catholic knows that to receive communion one must not have participated in any mortal sin and if he/she did so, confession and absolution with an act of contrition to not do it again is necessary. We cannot know what is in any given politician’s heart or status regarding this and it is not appropriate that we do. However, we do know what public actions and statements one has made and what one promises to do.
Consequently, for a Catholic politician to support abortion and then present him or herself for communion can be viewed as sending a message about Catholic beliefs. Rather than bearing witness to the faith (as all Catholics are obligated to do and at all times) it says that he/she disregards the teaching and doctrine of the Church. It not only shows a casual attitude about the Eucharist but also can show irreverence for the true presence of Christ. Again, we cannot say what an individual actually believes, but the public interpretation of his/her actions can be that the Eucharist is just a symbol.
Messages by the Church Hierarchy
There is another scandal aspect and that is what Church leaders have to say about pro-abortion politicians presenting themselves for communion. What is the message sent if a bishop or priest says it’s OK to receive communion even though the politician has contributed to the intrinsic evil of abortion (by voting for laws, advocating for and approving abortion services)? It can be interpreted to say that what is taught in the Catechism and by Pope Benedict XVI (when he was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Church), that refusing communion to a pro-abortion politician is a “doctrine of the Church” is not considered an important faith issue and can be dismissed. If that can be dismissed then what does that say about other teachings of the Church that can be ignored?
What does it say if a Catholic politician uses his faith profession to underscore he is a “good Catholic” when his actions go against Church teachings and he/she doesn’t get called out for it? The message sent is that the Church is willing to tolerate the disingenuousness of its members and excuses them. Some Bishops have said that they want to show they are merciful, pastoral and don’t want to politicize the Eucharist. I would maintain just the opposite. Allowing pro-abortion politicians to receive communion can be interpreted as saying that political and secular concerns outweigh faith concerns and are an example of another compromise to the secular mindset. We have already seen how some of the higher authorities in the Church have bought into that accommodation with the clergy abuse, financial scandals, and by the push of German Bishops to bless same-sex marriages and provide the Eucharist to non- Catholics.
Giving Communion to Pro-Abortion Politians
There are enough misinformation and misperception about the Catholic Church that we don’t need anymore to add to it. The issue of providing communion to Joe Biden or any other Catholic pro-abortion politician is much more than just about his/her faith status. It can affect the belief in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. On a broader scale, it affects evangelization efforts to non-Catholics and for those Catholics who need to be re-catechized on Church beliefs. How the Church deals with this issue can show the world what we believe and practice and how serious we are about what we professor it can send the opposite message. Its time for all the Church leaders to stand up in unity to send the right message.
Declare these things, exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you (Titus 2:15).
12 thoughts on “Our Politician’s Communion Scandal”
I don’t recall Jesus denying himself to anyone in the gospels. Admonish, maybe, but nowhere does he outright reject anyone. It’s difficult to understand how his Eminence’s openness to the President-elect causes any confusion. He is extending Christian hospitality and representing the Christ we know from the gospels.
Please reference Pope Benedict exhortation that Catholic politicians who support abortion MUST be denied communion.
Pope Francis was more prophetic that he thought. His elevation of Gregory was a scandal in itself. Steeped in third world materialism at the expense of objective truth, PF has caused no end of public confusion about the Church. His private concerns and doubts should have been confined to himself and his confessor, preferably one with a strong Thomason background.
I agree completely with the author’s article. My only question is how does he know the name of his guardian angel? Was it through a private revelation?
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Casual N/O Mass. Eucharistic ministers. Communion in the hand. Fasting before Communion? Don’t make me laugh.
Wilton Gregory, AQ.
Guard yourself. Enemy inside the gates.
A couple of highlights to the authors sobering essay.
“Anything you can imagine is real.” said Pablo Picasso. The obverse is also true and to paraphrase Henry Ford, if you think It is, it’s real, If you think it isn’t, then it is not.
The problem for modern day Catholics, tutored by supposedly poor catechists, is that
what they can’t imagine is not real. Only Jesus could clarify the succinct enormity of
“ This is my body …My blood.” For the tens of million non catholic Christians who pass
bread and grape juice in the Baptist tradition, and those who don’t light the sanctuary indicating a real Presence, Christ lives in them, in their heart and they will witness to this.
Theoretically, even in the Catholic church, if you only make your first holy communion and never commit a ‘mortal’ sin, then once is enough for life. There is not a ‘best if used by’ or expiration date on real Presence. Jesus, once physically melded with the soul, does not easily melt into nothingness because you missed mass on Sunday, or made a desperate decision. Jesus did not impose the ‘mortal’ death penalty on Mary Magdalene because it takes an enormous effort to evict God from within. You have to ask Him to get out; blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Which brings us to Confession. I once witnessed a Yom Kippur service where the rabbi, in front of his congregation, publicly apologized to a member for the demeaning way in which he had treated her throughout the year. This requirement to make amends before the Jewish year turns the page, is necessary, if one
is to be written into the Book of Life for the following year. You don’t sin against your neighbor and say three hail Mary’s to make it go away. This hollow gesture is merely a cowardly disfigurement of what true repentance looks like. Confession is a means to seek
clinical treatment by exposing oneself to an honest critique that may result in a spiritual awareness. Lastly, the New Evangelization is naught but a charade for unless you organize a schism, what you so desperately wish for can not reappear because our church is not heading that way. If anything, Francis, who upon his election turned to the cardinals and said “ God forgive you for what you have done” should be signal enough that the Holy Spirit has shifted gears, so as to catch up with what the rest of the world has to offer; this long process of revealing the most sublime nature of Jesus and His mission which is far from over, but closer than it was in the mid 20th century, that nostalgic era before Pope John threw open the windows so as to exchange the stale air of past theology for the fresh air of the New Realization.
Fortunately, in Christianity, the spiritual discernment of laity is not inferior to that of the clergy (1Corinthians 2:9-16). “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2Timothy 2:19). This discernment is not conferred by titles.
It is imparted through the Holy Spirit and the graces associated with Baptism.
The truth is it may be “President Elect Harris.” If so, God help us, everyone. Actually, it is becoming more and more clear, the right term is “non-elected.” Guy, Texas
The issue of Joe Biden receiving Communion negatively affects the understanding and acceptance of our basic Catholic beliefs.
How could it not? Abortion is intrinsically evil. It is killing a human being at the very early stages of human development. Abortion has always been, is, and will always be against Catholic teaching. Bishops, clergy, and Catholics who give a pass to pro-abortion Catholic politicians are wrong and most definitely disingenuous to Catholic beliefs.
Sadly, this communion scandal is just another nail in the coffin of Catholicism during this time in history. The teachings of the Catholic Church have survived for centuries. The reasons are because they are right. The Church has experienced many ups and downs; the reasons why are because we have had worthy leaders and willful leaders. Sadly, and currently, we have too many members of the clergy who keep sending mixed messages. Giving Communion to pro-abortion politicians is one such message.
Holy Communion is the most sacred part of the Catholic Mass. It is the center of all the other sacraments because it contains the whole spiritual good of the Church: Christ Himself. When we go to Mass and receive Holy Communion, we are united in Christ worldwide. The laity of the Catholic Church is only as good as its leaders. As things are now, the clergy and the Catholic Church’s laity are not in the same boat. I hope and pray that our church leaders can take the nail and plank for Catholicism’s coffin and use them to replace the plank in Catholicism’s boat before we sink!
Great article!
It is incontrovertibly wrong for a pro choice catholic politician to receive communion.
I don’t understand why people choose to disbelieve in such a wonderful gift of Jesus. Haven’t they been taught this as children? Even if a Catholic does no longer believe in transubstantiation, it would still be a sacred celebration, and he/she could not receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin.