Cardinal Egan upset with Rudy Giuliani over Communion

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Comments: 13

Cardinal Egan and Rudy Giuliani

, Apr 28, 2008 / 04:23 pm (CNA).- During Pope Benedict’s visit to the U.S. just over a week ago, some pro-abortion politicians, including Rudy Giuliani and John Kerry, received Communion at the papal Mass. Today Cardinal Edward Egan, the Archbishop of New York, released a statement expressing his displeasure with Giuliani for receiving the Eucharist.

Cardinal Egan began by repeating the Church’s position on abortion and his defense of that position. “The Catholic Church clearly teaches that abortion is a grave offense against the will of God. Throughout my years as Archbishop of New York, I have repeated this teaching in sermons, articles, addresses, and interviews without hesitation or compromise of any kind,” he said.

According to Cardinal Egan, he had established “an understanding with Mr. Rudolph Giuliani”, that dated back to when he first became “the Archbishop of New York and he was serving as Mayor of New York”.

The understanding was, “that he was not to receive the Eucharist because of his well-known support of abortion,” the cardinal said.

The head of the Church in New York expressed his deep regret that “Mr. Giuliani received the Eucharist during the Papal visit here in New York” and added that he “will be seeking a meeting with him to insist that he abide by our understanding.”

Giuliani's spokeswoman, Sunny Mindel, responded to the cardinal's statement by saying that Giuliani is willing to meet with the cardinal but added that his faith "is a deeply personal matter and should remain confidential."

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Joslynn Traynor
Cleveland OH 05/02/2008 01:41 PM EST

Bishop-Elect Michael Ranson, what are you saying! There is no compromise for those politicians who endorse
abortion..who are you anyway, Michael Ranson?
It's no wonder the USA church is sinking into shameful heresy!

Published by: Stephany Wiley
Weslaco, TX USA 05/02/2008 11:54 AM EST

Sadly, when the Cardinals act to lead the faithful, they are criticised, and when they fail to act, they are criticised.

Obviously, Cardinal Egan understands his role as Spiritual Father, not only of Rudy Guiliani, but of all the faithful who are witnesses to behavior and positions that are very public and a grave source of scandal particularly to the young and vulnerable. For Cardinal Egan to ignor this would be for him to be negligent in the role he is called to.

How does a parent teach and guide their children in the faith when they witness public blatant disobedience of the basic teachings of God as preserved and protected by the Church? As a parent, I want to have these values reinforced, not watered down.

Somehow, I doubt that when one arrives at the pearly gates, that persons political title will open doors.

Cardinal Egan is to be commended. His position gives proper respect for the Eucharist. Would that all Bishops would be so courageous.

Published by: PTB
Vienna,VA,USA 04/29/2008 05:16 PM EST

Mr. Guuliani is not in a political position right now. However, Nancy Palosi, Doddd, Lahey, Kerry, etc, etc are---where are their Bishops---they receive all the time. Egan was a Bishop in Conn---when Dodd was out front in favor of abortion rights----no consistency at all here---

Published by: G. Thomas
Vinton, La. 04/29/2008 02:54 PM EST

'Cardinal Egan should keep his opinions to himself'???
You people seem to forget that bishops and cardinals are shepards of
of the flock in trusted to them by God through their ordination. Their mission is to ensure that they don't loose their "sheep". So if they have to nudge some back into line whether private or public, so be it. Better to be a little embarrassed than to lose salvation for their eternal souls. Bishops are not at liberty to change the teachings of Jesus, only to teach them.

Published by: Bishop-Elect Michael
Ranson, WV 04/29/2008 01:28 PM EST

For Cardinal Egan, this may be scandelous, but no more scandelous than all that has occurred in the Church over the past decades and centuries. When is comes down to it, Jesus invited some of the most horrific sinners to his table to share fellowship. He denied no one to receive from him, and neither should the Pope, the Cardinals, Bishops or Priests. The greater sin is refusal to share the gift of grace that changes hearts when receiving the Eucharist.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Fairfax, Virginia 04/29/2008 12:58 PM EST

Faith is not personal thing. Cardinals should apologize to Catholics that they invited pro-abortion politicians to the very prestiges Papal Mass if the Cardinals choose to voice themselves. Who is not guilty of sins? Cardinals? I don't thinks so

Published by: fr. phil floersh, c.m.
tucson/az/usa 04/29/2008 12:45 PM EST

One's faith ceases to be a private matter in public acts!!!! The liberals maincftain the point...one's faith is a very private affair despite public acts like receiving Holy Communion.

phil

Published by: B. Ambrose
Spearman, TX USA 04/29/2008 11:46 AM EST

This should also be a wake up call to Catholics who vote for these politicians. Stop putting them if office. Those who proclaim themselves Catholic should not be supporting those who promote mortal sin. When those in public office proclaim themselves Catholics and promote Abortion, Divorce, Homosexuality, I cringe for all faithful Catholics.

Published by: Steve Graddon
Federal Way, WA, USA 04/29/2008 09:17 AM EST

Cardinal Egan is absolutely correct on a well settled matter. More of the Church's leaders and faithful need to be much more proactive in asserting doctorine that is not subject to debate. The open and active position of any hertical proponent is subject to such sensure.

Published by: angela
usa 04/29/2008 07:55 AM EST

Rate: Bad

cardinal egan has just allianated every woman who has had an abortion is this what jesus would do----you have screwed up the popes work!!!!!! who does he think he is

Published by: Benedict Carter
Moscow, Russia 04/29/2008 12:42 AM EST

This is a simple cop-out by the Cardinal and by the priest who gave this man Communion. There is no need for any "understanding" or "agreement" - JUST REFUSE HIM, AND OTHERS LIKE HIM, COMMUINION. All the priest has to do is to say "NO".

Published by: Chris Davis
Hanover NH., USA 04/28/2008 10:38 PM EST

Rate: Bad

Cardinal Egan should keep his thoughts to himself! How many priest who had sex with young boys and girls gave Communion? How many received Communion? He judges a man over the Pope? Did the Pope say no to him? The Cardinal Egan has a lot different faith then the Pope! With the church as messed up as it is, because non of the Cardinals ever said anything and did all they could to hide all the abuse, He is the one who should not receive the Eucharist! I will never ever go to a catholic church for anything again! The Popes message about the abuse was ok, but with Cardinals like this it is clear you cant trust the clergy! Sorry Pope get rid of the bad before you talk about change and recovery!

Published by: Fr. Tomasz
Clinton, Ma USA 04/28/2008 08:02 PM EST

I do agree with Mr. Giuliani that his faith is a deeply personal thing and it should not be attacked in public in a personal way. If the Cardinal wishes to discuss it with him in private he should do so, but to make a public statement is very offensive and rude. Imagine me in my homily in the parish or in the Bulletin listing the names of the people I belive should not receive communion because they support abortion, or a divorced and remarried or any other reason. The question that I wish to argue is not whether they should or should not receive communion, but how it is dealt. To make a public statement is very unwise pastorally. Just meet with Giuliani, don't publish it in papers. It all truly dims the light that B16 brought to our country.

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