Archbishop Chaput responds to Pelosi-Pope meeting

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Comments: 38

Archbishop Charles Chaput / Neil Cavuto

Denver, Colo., Feb 19, 2009 / 07:31 pm (CNA).- Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver is in complete agreement with the message that Pope Benedict XVI delivered to Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday. The archbishop also went so far as to say that since she disagrees with the Church on the "black and white issue" of abortion, she should not present herself for Communion.

The comments by Archbishop Chaput were made following Nancy Pelosi’s meeting with Pope Benedict, at which the Pope reminded the Speaker of the House that all legislators, but especially Catholics, are bound to protect human life from conception to natural death.

FOX News’ Neil Cavuto invited Archbishop Chaput to give his reaction to the Pope-Pelosi meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Cavuto began by pointing out the disparity between Pelosi’s statement about the meeting and the Pope’s.

"I got very different reads from both the Pope’s message of that meeting and the speaker’s, but the gist of the Pope’s is that, she has a duty to respect life, what did you make of that?" said Cavuto.

"Well it’s true," replied the archbishop. "Every Catholic, whether you’re famous or anonymous, whether you’re a public official or a private citizen, has a responsibility to be faithful to what the Church believes about human life, and we believe that human life is sacred and precious from the moment of conception. So that applies to the Speaker as well as it does to me and to you and to anyone who’s Catholic."

Referring to a previous interview regarding Pelosi’s comment that when life begins is not agreed upon by Catholic teaching, Cavuto asked, "isn’t it a fairly black and white issue?"

Chaput responded, "Well it’s not a fairly black and white issue, it’s a clearly black and white issue.

"The Church without a doubt believes that human life begins at the moment of conception," he said.

Cavuto also asked Archbishop Chaput if he would deny Holy Communion to Pelosi.

To which, the archbishop responded:

"Well, I’d like to talk to her if she’s coming to church in the Archdiocese of Denver and I’d say to her what I’d say to anyone, if you don’t accept what the Church teaches, you shouldn’t present yourself for Communion, because Communion means you’re in agreement with what the Church teaches, and, as I said to you earlier, that applies to all of us..."

Isn’t she boxed in by Catholic beliefs on the one hand and by a society that is pro-choice? Cavuto queried.

"Well I don’t think it’s a box to defend the truth and to stand up for what you know to be right, even if others in the community disagree with you, and being honest about our moral principles is a sign of maturity, is a sign of being a statesman.

"And I think that politicians are required to be both good Americans and good Catholics at the same time and to be convincing when they present the position of the community on basic human rights," the archbishop replied.

Referring to the issue of abortion, Archbishop Chaput said, "This is a human rights issue, from the point of view of the Church, and not a theological or religious perspective. Our religious perspective supports that, but that’s not the source of our belief about the sacredness of human life."

Comments: 38

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mary Montgomery
Kansas City 03/09/2009 06:33 PM EST

I beleieve that abortion is the most serious most damaging issue of our century. That is why I believe as a faithful daughter of the church that we must put ALL of our energies to it's causes: male sexual practices, crushing poverty, war, and most importantly misogony. dealing with the outcome of these evils will never bring about a cure anymore than treating a fever and leaving the tumor to fester and grow will. I believe that life ie so precious that we must do all in our power to support it and protect it--- rescue young girls from incest &abuse, greatly increase healthcare to women of color whose mis-carriage rate is many times higher than whites, strongly create and enforce laws which will make men responsible for the children they create no matter what the situation. Begin to ex-communicate men who impregnate minors and men who do not suppoer their children or men who infect women with STDs.Not be a party to wars which cause the death of chilbearing women and the fetuses they carry.
Do these things and I will believe that you understand what is means to defend the most vnerable amonst us.

Published by: Rose
Salt Lake City, UT 03/09/2009 05:46 PM EST

Dick - read your bible. Jesus gave authority to Peter to 'bind and loose' as he saw fit. As a bishop, Archbishop Chaput has the right to deny communion to those who are not worthy to receive the body of Christ - i.e., the unrepentent and those who willfully refuse to be taught or follow church law, doctrine, etc. Why seek refuge within someone or something you don't agree with or adhere to?

Published by: Dick
Denver,CO 80401 03/04/2009 12:30 AM EST

Yes I also believe that Chaput should be excommunicated for advocating the denial of Jesus' body and blood to any who seek refuge in it.

Published by: DC
Hometown, CO 02/26/2009 03:10 PM EST

Ms. Pelosi should temper pride with obedience. Free choice is the ability to choose what you believe. Free choice is not the ability to determine the Truth.

Published by: Tim
St Louis/MO/US 02/24/2009 12:37 AM EST

Reminder, it is not important to be pro-life because the Catholic Church teaches it...it is important to be pro-life because Jesus taught it...

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 02/23/2009 07:39 PM EST

Niles from San Francisco: You make my point for me; Ms. Pelosi is NOT a faithful daughter of the Church. There are certainly many issues that deserve our attention and our help. HOWEVER, the Catechim of the Church places the life issues at the top of those matters that require our attention and protection. The Catechism defines abortion as "intrinsically evil"; it doesn't do that with the "social issues" you generically refer to. It is an oft heard expression that people leave the Church because "I don't agree with the Pope about this or that, or I don't understand why we can't do this or that". Guess what obedience does not require one's acquiescence or even their understanding. These excuses are frankly a cop-out for people who are making a decision based on feeling. And, ususally by persons who lack either the willingness or ability to find out why the Holy Mother Church teaches what it does. Frankly, our society is far too motivated and moved by what it "feels" rather than thought and thinking. Perfect example; lust is confused for love. Lust is an emotion/feeling where love is an intellectual act of ones will.

Published by: Dave
Stafford 02/23/2009 12:50 PM EST

Ms. Pelosi is a "non Catholic who attends Mass and the sacraments."

There is no such thing as a "pro choice Catholic."

That is an oxymoron.

Published by: michael
Markham/Ontario/Canada 02/22/2009 02:16 PM EST

Abortion is murder, SO IS the killing of innocent children, men and women as in Iraq,Afghanistan or The Ongoing Holocaust in GAZA. DOES anybody CARES? OR Does the Church cares AS MUCH AS IT DOES for ABORTION? It sure Does NOT look like.

Whoever you are, what gives you the impression that the Church 'doesn't care?' The Catholic Church is the largest health care provider/educator/relief agency on the planet.

Published by: Niles
San Francisco CA 02/21/2009 02:25 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Dear Gwen, Pay no attention to my "single"-issue fellow
Catholics. I don't recall
the last time I heard the
Franciscan Archbishop
Denver speak out against
the death penalty, the un-insured,homelessness,
poverty, social justice issues,
the wars in Irag & Afghanistan, etc. Does anyone else find it "odd"
that Holy Mother Church
embraces a Holocaust-denying & heretic bishop,
whilst condemning a faithful
daughter of the Church?

Published by: Janie
Gresham, OR 02/21/2009 02:00 AM EST

Especially as a Catholic, Pelosi is absolutely familiar with The Lord's Prayer. Most likely, if just going through the motions and not really thinking about what you are praying----you might just miss the most important part---"Our Father Who Art In Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. THY KINGDOM COME **THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN*** Again,,,Thy Will be done, on Earth, as it (HIS WILL) is in Heaven. In prayer, you are telling God that you will uphold his WILL here on EARTH, just as you would expect his WILL to be done in Heaven.

Do you really think you will stand inside the gates of Heaven with a Pro-choice crowd and shout in favor of YOUR WILL BE DONE.

Well, what about our Free Will?? You can have all the Free Will you want. All the choices are yours. But you can't do God's Will and your own Will at the same time, unless they are one. The choice is quite obvious.

Published by: Steve
Sterling Heights 02/20/2009 08:30 PM EST

Gwen -
You were given a gift by your parents when you were baptized as a Catholic.

I suggest you reconsider your decision to abandon the Catholic Church. Or, if your pride is the problem - consider how you will answer Christ when asked "Why did you abandon me?"

Published by: Dee
Pgh. Pa 02/20/2009 03:10 PM EST

Poor Gwen! Must be a victim of the poor catechesis of the last 20-40 yrs. Gwen, what is true isn't b/c the Catholic Church teaches it. It's just true. As Christ said: Whoever hears you hears me.... Would you like to stop by my CCD class sometime? We could help you straighten a few things out.

Published by: Frank
Stanfordville, NY 02/20/2009 01:51 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Come on, Gwen. You were educated in a Jesuit college, not a Catholic one. If you had been properly educated in a Catholic college, you would know that to receive Holy Communion means, as St. Paul said in his First Letter to the Corinthians, receiving the true Body and Blood of Christ and you have to be in a state of grace (not conscious of grave sin). I'll bet you dissent on a whole range of issues including abortion, homosexual marriage, Infallibility, male only priesthood, celibacy, obligatory attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, Confession, divorce etc.

Published by: jones
Denver 02/20/2009 01:47 PM EST

That was a very wimpy answer by Chaput. I am not surprised, as he is a former employee of Jimmy Carter.

Published by: Michael Johns
Woodland, WA.USA 02/20/2009 01:46 PM EST

Extremely well put by Archbishop Chaput. You honor Christ, His Church, me, and yes, especially Speaker Pelosi for your love and concern enough to warn her of her serious error. Hopefully she, and others like her, will get it sooner than too later!!!

Published by: alice
oregon 02/20/2009 01:37 PM EST

May Our Lord continue to bless our Holy Father and bishops like Archbishop Chaput. Pray for those who continue to call themselves Catholic and act and vote as pagans.

Published by: Jack P
Burnaby, BC Canada 02/20/2009 01:27 PM EST

The cquestion: "Isn’t she boxed in by Catholic beliefs on the one hand and by a society that is pro-choice?" is false and misleading. The society is not "pro-choice". Some of the society is and some is not. Pelosi has chosen which side she is on but needs to lie that she is not.

Murder and lies always go together. She serves her father teh devil who is aliar and murderer from the beginning. There is no fellowship between darkness and light. She is in no way a Catholic.

Published by: Joan Robinson
Kingwood, TX, USA 02/20/2009 12:50 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Chaput for voicing so well in value of life.

Joan Robinson

Published by: Dan Deeny
Kirksville, MO, USA 02/20/2009 12:08 PM EST

And if she does present herself for communion? What then?

Published by: Gwen Mataisz
Pitkin, CO 02/20/2009 11:52 AM EST

Rate: Bad

As longtime catholic, educated at catholic schools & university: this is why I left the church. Your way or the highway!

Published by: Jim Hill
Hardy,AR USA 02/20/2009 10:57 AM EST

Well done Bishop well done. God bless you and your ministry.

Published by: EddieG
Las Vegas, NV USA 02/20/2009 10:50 AM EST

No wonder Archbishop Chaput is so filled with wisdom. He hit the nail on the head. I wish every Bishop would speak with those who claim to be Catholic and let them know that if they persist in their support for killing babies, then they should not present themselves for Holy Eucharist. That includes our Vice President. Where are all the strong bishops?

Published by: Daniel
Randolph MA 02/20/2009 10:28 AM EST

Good to see Arcbhisop Chaput speaking out, Not only nationaly but Internationaly, on a vital issue not only to catholics but to all people

Published by: JIm Hill
Hardy,AR USA 02/20/2009 10:12 AM EST

Well done Bishop well done! May God bless your ministry and your leadership.

Published by: michael b alba
weston fl 02/20/2009 08:43 AM EST

As a practical catholic I completely support Bishop Chaput's words.
You have to be committed to your community to receive com-munion in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Published by: Ruthann Seraly
Venetia, PA 02/20/2009 08:36 AM EST

It is about time the church takes a PUBLIC stand with regard to abortion and elected CATHOLIC officials. They as well as many other Catholics choose NOT TO GET IT as we can see in the election of the current president of the US, who is abortion personified.

Published by: Bob
Phila, PA 02/20/2009 06:54 AM EST

I've read where Pelosi, even after her meeting with Pope Benedict, is still staunchly pro-abortion. If anyone knows....what happens now? Should her bishop publicly state that she should not receive Communion? Should she be publickly excommunicated? Any thoughts? I think some action should be taken. If we are to uphold as a faith the sacrednesss of the Eucharist, some type of statement should be made. If not, Catholics might think it's OK to receive the Body, Blood of Christ in a state of mortal sin.

Published by: lember
Eastlake,Oh.usa 02/20/2009 05:52 AM EST

Published by: John Soucy
Ivins Utah 02/20/2009 12:12 AM EST

Very good comments by Archbishop Chaput. Ms Pelosi needs to read this

Published by: Peter Robinson
Australia 02/19/2009 11:36 PM EST

Rate: Bad

Pope Benedict’s descent in the moral landscape continues unchecked with disastrous consequences for the Catholic Church.
While the Pope may diplomatically insult the third in line for the presidency for holding views contrary to his own, the world continues to ask a more serious moral question – how can Benedict court the SSPX despite the documented anti-Semitism?
Every Papal move is tainted by this grotesque invitation.
And the smell isn’t dissipating - Rev. Gerhard Maria Wagner, who believes Hurricane Katrina was Divine retribution for New-Orlean lust, turned down his Papal promotion because of “fierce criticism”.
There has been nothing from him, or the Vatican, repudiating the notion of meteorology as divine feedback.
The Vatican continues to pitch for the credulous and nasty at the expense of the thoughtful and tolerant.

Published by: rick
Lander WY 02/19/2009 11:31 PM EST

From reading some of the responses to other editorials, even some self-identified non Catholics are saying that if Pelosi isn't following the Church's teaching she shouldn't be calling herself a Catholic. So even these folks are calling her bluff. Time to make a serious decision, Nancy.

Published by: brett
cleveland, ohio 02/19/2009 09:53 PM EST

bravo!

Published by: Dr. W. Luckey
Front Royal, VA 02/19/2009 09:48 PM EST

Thank God for Archbishop Chaput and Neil Cavuto!!!

Published by: V.Mignogna
Bellmawr, N.J., USA 02/19/2009 09:24 PM EST

I am sorry, but I see a sad irony in the Pope lecturing Nancy Pelosi about the sanctity of human life after recently bringing back into the fold a bishop who denies the horrors of the holocaust, and continuing to shelter the former Archbishop of Boston from his accountability in the child molestation disgrace!

Published by: Chuy
San Luis Obispo 02/19/2009 09:17 PM EST

I wish Pelosi had the grace to step receiving communion until she stopped publicly supporting Holy Communion.

Published by: Mike Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 02/19/2009 08:35 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Chaput for your newsworthy comments. It shows that it's possible to be true to the Church's teaching and still have secular media desiring your opinion. If all the other Bishops had spines as strong as Chaput's more media would be asking Faithful Church leaders instead of heretics for comments.

Published by: Susan
Zachary 02/19/2009 08:13 PM EST

Amen, we need more of the truth to be broadcast across this nation. Thank God for Archbishop
Chaput and our Holy Father, beacons of truth in a dark world.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 02/19/2009 07:53 PM EST

excommunication would be an appropriate teaching tool in this case.

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