Catholics who support abortion should not receive Communion, says Archbishop Burke

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Comments: 59

Archbishop Raymond Burke

Rome, Italy, Aug 19, 2008 / 10:00 am (CNA).- The prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Archbishop Raymond Burke, said this week that Catholics, especially politicians, who publically defend abortion should not receive Communion, and that ministers of Communion should be responsibly charitable in denying it to them if they ask for it, “until they have reformed their lives.”

In an interview with the magazine, Radici Christiane, Archbishop Burke pointed out that there is often a lack of reverence at Mass when receiving Communion. “Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily is a sacrilege,” he warned. “If it is done deliberately in mortal sin it is a sacrilege.”

To illustrate his point, he referred to “public officials who, with knowledge and consent, uphold actions that are against the Divine and Eternal moral law." He then gave the example of politicians who "support abortion, which entails the taking of innocent and defenseless human lives. A person who commits sin in this way should be publicly admonished in such a way as to not receive Communion until he or she has reformed his life,” the archbishop said.

“If a person who has been admonished persists in public mortal sin and attempts to receive Communion, the minister of the Eucharist has the obligation to deny it to him. Why? Above all, for the salvation of that person, preventing him from committing a sacrilege,” he added.

“We must avoid giving people the impression that one can be in a state of mortal sin and receive the Eucharist.”

He explained that when the person is allowed to receive Communion, a second form of scandal consists: “leading people to think that the public act that this person is doing,” a sin, “which until now everyone believed was a serious sin, is really not that serious.”

“If we have a public figure who is openly and deliberately upholding abortion rights and receiving the Eucharist, what will the average person think? He or she could come to believe that up to a certain point it is okay to do away with an innocent life in the mother’s womb,” he warned.

Archbishop Burke also noted that when a bishop or a Church leader prevents an abortion supporter from receiving Communion, “it is not with the intention of interfering in public life but rather with the concern of the spiritual state of the politician or public official who, if Catholic, should follow the divine law in the public sphere as well.”

“Therefore, it is simply ridiculous and wrong to try to silence a pastor, accusing him of interfering in politics so that he cannot do good to the soul of a member of his flock,” he stated.

It is “simply wrong” to think that the faith must be reduced to the private sphere and eliminated from public life, Archbishop Burke said, encouraging Catholics “to bear witness to our faith not only in private in our homes but also in our public lives with others in order to bear strong witness to Christ.”

Comments: 59

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Michael J. Martin
Overland Park, KS 03/09/2009 10:21 AM EST

1 Corinthians 27-29

"Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

I think people forget that the Catholic Church doesn't just pull rules for people arbitrarily from a magic hat for Power or Political gain. These are the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians. It is only loving to point out (if you know) to your brother or sister their public sins that they may not be aware of. A wise person would welcome this loving criticism of their Eternal Whereabouts, right? I can only think that those who do not want this also have no concern fro the Eternal Banquet with Our Lord and Savior?

Published by: Mike
St. Louis, Mo 02/20/2009 06:12 AM EST

Abortion can be justified in the case of rape/incest,or a real medical threat to the health of the mother or child. The pastor of my church told me that and it's in the book we used in RCIA as well. I do not believe that abortion should be done as a form of contraception but I do believe in legitimate cases that women in the situations listed above should be allowed to have one safely and not die or have their ability to have a child be taken away by a back alley abortion. That being said I find having the abortion speech in the middle of mass where there are very young children who do not even understand what sex is, offensive. This is a conversation to be had with people that are of the age of reason not little children. I also feel we need to begin to give our kids realistic sex ed classes. I think we need to focus on teaching our young people the consequences of having sex before marriage. What sex is in the first place. Children have such a weird sense of sexuality now because of abstinence only, I can not fathom how confused they are when they believe that if they have oral or anal sex they are still virgins. That is pure insanity. We need to have honest, frank conversations with our young people and let them know any penetration is sex and that aside from pregnancy there are diseases that can be caught. I had sex ed and I made the choice to abstain through college because of it but when I was ready to have sex I understood what I was doing and I was safe.

Published by: Theresa
East Bay, CA 02/15/2009 04:34 PM EST

I spoke to an Irish pastor at mass today who said he would not refuse communion to a known abortionist doctor or death penalty executionist, although he said he would have trouble with it, he would do it.

God Bless you Archbishop Burke on your stand. Please come speak at Catholic Universities in California.

Published by: Ray
Pittsburgh, PA 12/15/2008 05:19 AM EST

Spanish Inquisition - how many innocent people were killed then? Where was the apology or recognition even by the church concerning its realization and horror of what was going on? Why is it ok to kill people who believe in a different God and do so just as fundamentally as many Christians? You want to talk about waking up? Fine - wake up to the realization that we're embroiled in a religious war and the Pope has yet to stand up against this attrocity but instead only manages to make matters worse by deepening the belief that since muslims are different from us that they must therefore be evil and executed?

As far as abortion is concerned, I am personally against any woman I impregnate to have an abortion unless her life is in danger because of it. However, we have a social responsibility to ensure that if a woman is going to have an abortion anyway that there be a safe way for it to happen, or we will not only lose the baby but the mother as well.

This bishop also needs to look at the story of Mary Magdalene again - it appears he enjoys throwing stones, and I for one don't believe he's as without sin as he would like you to think.

Published by: Chris
Mountain Home AR 11/28/2008 02:11 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Burke for clearly stating your position and giving some strong leadership to Catholics in the United States where it is sorely lacking.

Published by: Margie
Las Cruces,NM/USA 11/14/2008 03:51 PM EST

Ok,I have to wake up! I cannot believe what I'm reading!!! So tell me this...We invite religion into the political rhelm when it's convenient. When our "church" leaders tell us something we don't like, they should stay out of politics! The Catholic faith should be based on what?
Doing what we want to do just so long as it's convenient and feels good? Let's just have sex with anyone, kill innocent children, make our priests and those that have taken the vow to guide us shut-up because they have no business telling us what to do? NO! NO WHERE in the Bible(atleast the CATHOLIC bible) does it say that being a christian is a fun and easy thing to do. Jesus died on the cross by the people he loved for coming here on earth for preaching to us about what his father wants us to "DO". People, we don't live that long on this earth to be so selfish that we can't stick together and uphold our moral beliefs. Come on people wake up! Our politicians are no our saviors. Our souls end up being with our savior Jesus Christ for eternity if we choose..or with Satan for eternity if we so choose. So, tell me, is it worth risking your soul for having a so called "free" "do what feels good" life here on earth? I'll be praying for each and everyone of you all. The church leaders are supposed to guide us. I feel sorry for the church leaders that don't say anything. They will be harshly judged by our Lord so much more. Lets pray and do what's right. Jesus loves each and everyone of us so much!Blessings

Published by: Robert
pittsfield, Me 11/12/2008 04:58 AM EST

I was raised a catholic, have always been a catholic went through the teachings however most of what the church teaches is not what god mandates but what the church mandates, the church is just as corrupt these days as any government. The catholic church doesn't support contraception and they don't support abortion. Contraception stops unwanted pregnancies and of course disease. It is not our place to judge god will judge and people who commit needless abortions will have to answer to god. However some abortions to save mothers life and rape unfortunately are sometimes neccessary.

Published by: David
USA 11/06/2008 12:43 PM EST

Why is it ok then to give communion to those who support the war in iraq? Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed there. Do their lives not matter in the eyes of the church? I find the church (especially in america) to be extremely hypocritical in its support of John McCain and its opposition to Barack Obama based on the abortion issue. A truly strong spiritual belief cannot morally support either. But it does. This is wrong.

Published by: Patrick Starr
Charlotte, NC USA 09/19/2008 02:09 PM EST

Thank you, Archbishop Burke. We must show no mercy to these sinners and crush their desire for independent thought. Now let us apply the same rule of forbidding Communion to all of the sinners. This includes all of the 'catholics' who use unnatural birth control. All who use these forms should be forbidden from our Church.

Published by: Elaine Suhre
Alhambra IL USA 09/05/2008 01:28 AM EST

Thank goodness for upright leaders of our Church such as Archbishop Raymond Burke.

However, what are we to do with those so called members of the clergy, such as Rev. George H. Niederauer who are continuing to ignore the Church's mandate to refuse Communion to public pro-abortion officials? He has given Pelosi a way to continue giving scandal in that he has "honored" her definition of Catholic morals, ie. following her conscience. What to do??

Published by: Kate a convert
Port Lavaca, Texas 08/30/2008 10:12 AM EST

God Bless all Bishops who speak out against Public Office Catholics.

I pray the Church will continue to speak out against the crimes of this world which a loud and strong voice.

We are lambs who need a Strong Shepard to lead us.

Published by: Roy Edwards
Nashville, TN USA 08/25/2008 03:14 PM EST

May God bless you Archbishop Burke. Thank you for your voice on this most important of issues! May the Church lead the way in returning the sanctity to life to ALL the citizens within our nation! Lord, have mercy.

Published by: Eugene Tighe
United States 08/25/2008 11:51 AM EST

Now that Sen. Biden is now on the world stage, it's time for his bishop to send him a note to not avail himself of the Eucharist so long as he subscribes to the abortion platform. To be so obviously anti-life and present yourself for Holy Communion is truly a sacriledge.

Published by: heidi
st. louis, mo usa 08/23/2008 02:44 AM EST

Thank you God for the time we had Burke. He knew what was correct and stated it, even if it meant controversy for him. Plus, he also had a great sense of humor, which the media didn't note. I know the Vatican needs him. He is an amazing leader, and I pray God will send ST. Louis another strong Catholic leader.

Catholic logic says if you don't want to support the basic values of our faith, then you shouldn't be a part of the gifts. An outside admirer, or a participant in a less active part, but not a full member. A full member can recieve the Euchrist, because that is a commitment to the faith and what goes with it.

Biden can't have it both ways. I can't imagine why he would truly think he could. mabey he thinks he can get away with it. I hope he can not.

Published by: Lionel Andrades
Rome,Lazio,Italy 08/22/2008 09:52 AM EST

Can appeals be filed with the Supreme Tribunal against Bishops, Vicar Generals and other religious who give the Eucharist to pro abortion politicians and so participate in the mortal sin and sacrilege?
Archbishop Raymond Burke has said that the Eucharist should not be given to pro-abortion politicians in mortal sin. It is a sacrilege. He is also saying politely, that Eucharistic Ministers, priests and bishops are participating in this sacrilege.
According to Canon Law a juridical person (Rector, Superior, Bishop) needs to be a Catholic.
A Juridical Person who commits a sacrilege and does not make public amends is not in communion with Jesus and His Mystical Body the Church. He is not a Catholic canonically and spiritually.
He needs to publicly make amends and go for Confession, to restore Sanctifying Grace and be in communion with Jesus.
The lay Eucharistic Minister may not be a juridical person. However this is not true of others-participating, in the sacrilege and mortal sin-in Washington, San Francisco and Boston.The Mass of these bishops and priests in mortal sin is valid but is it not sacrilegious?
Please read Veritatis Splendor ns.55,56,68,70,81) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church ns. 1751, 1756.
Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Nancy Pelosi are in mortal sin since they promote abortion by their words and actions. The bishops also promote abortion through their actions.
Lionel Andrades

Published by: Richard Gerhards
Portland OR USA 08/21/2008 06:36 PM EST

Thank God a Vatican official has finally made it possible for priests to deny Holy Communion to notorious, unrepentant sinners. I have been writing the same things as Archbishop Burke for not allowing Catholic women and girls in grossly immodest, transvestite and/or sex-exhibitionist fashions to receive Holy Communion for almost 50 years now. If I were heed decades ago a lot of other evils would have never happened.

Published by: frances marie
new york, ny,usa 08/21/2008 11:47 AM EST

Thank you for your clarity on this important issue which is being ignored in the US.
The politions who will desist from receiving Holy Communion will thank you for saving their souls.

Published by: sheila
Millis/MA 08/21/2008 04:54 AM EST

Thank you Archbishop Burke for speaking the truth.The Bible shows John the Baptist doing the same in his time. Catholics that support abortion and abortion cadidates (as well as priests who give them communion)are Judas's and should be exposed as such. This is not the time to be politically correct and not offend, it is a time to speak out the truth to save souls. We are our brothers/sisters keepers.

Published by: Peter B. Moser
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. 08/21/2008 01:46 AM EST

Thank you for your stand on this issue, and for not being afraid to make a Catholic public statement in this(End Times)day in age.

Published by: Isa Yguico
Manila/Philippines 08/20/2008 11:43 PM EST

Living in what is now the only Catholic nation in Asia is being tested by new laws that will legalize artificial contraception and what we Catholics see as first steps to legalized abortion. Would Archbishop Burke deny Communion to those who publicly support artificial contraception as well?

Published by: William M. Grothus
Bettendorf, Iowa 08/20/2008 10:45 PM EST

This shepherd is tending the sheep. Read first reading in the Mass of today, 20 August 2008.

Published by: Anita
Florida 08/20/2008 10:02 PM EST

Yahhhhh!!!!!! Archbishop Burke, continue to lead us in the proper way. Pro choice politicians, respect the Eucharist, stay away unless you "wash your hands" of your wrong ideas.

Published by: Maureen
Waterford, NY USA 08/20/2008 09:50 PM EST

Please death penalty people...Abortion tortures and kills approximately 3,500 INNOCENT BABIES every day in this country! The death penalty probably takes the lives of 20 people in the entire U.S. every year after a trial in which they've been found guilty. PLEASE GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

Published by: Mark Gassen
Shawnee, Kansas USA 08/20/2008 08:37 PM EST

May God Bless you, Archbishop Burke ! I will pray for you..

Published by: Ann Tran
South Boston, MA 02127 08/20/2008 08:27 PM EST

If some bishops have giving Communion to Democracts who want to kill traditional Marrige,how can it point out that Eucharistic ministers to deal with this situation?

Published by: Irene
u.s.a. 08/20/2008 06:38 PM EST

America had better wake up and vote against these abortionists. Pray for America

Published by: L.G
Warwick, RI USA 08/20/2008 05:26 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Congratulations! It is way past due for priests to cease giving Holy Eucharist to politicians like Nancy Pelosi who support abortion! Thank you, and now make this happen please. If they choose to leave the Church, so be it. We would be better off without them in attendance.

Published by: Penny
Pns Bch 08/20/2008 05:11 PM EST

To suggest that a"pro-life" VP for Obama would somehow justify voting for this man is absolute delusion. Please note how this heart of stone rallied against providing assistance to infants born alive who somehow survived abortion..if he doesn't know when life begins, he can't know when it ends either. Euthanasia can't be far behind. God help us.

Published by: Pat Brooks
United Kngdom 08/20/2008 05:07 PM EST

Praise God. I have longed to see a statement like this in print.

Published by: Virginia Fitzgerald
Rocky River, OH.USA 08/20/2008 04:47 PM EST

I also believe thatCatholics commit a mortal sin to support and vote for Catholics who are publicly pro choice. It seems to me I have heard this, but cannot substantiate the veracity of that position. Can you clarify? Thanks

Published by: Kephas
Rio Rancho, NM 08/20/2008 02:40 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Will the USCCB listen and follow suit? We are blessed with few good shepherds like Archbishop Burke, but do have so many hirelings (2 Peter 2:1-4) in USCCB. I still have to hear the Bishop of San Francisco reprimand Pelosi (who spoke of Obama as a blessing from God)_Obama the purveyor of anti-life.

Published by: Jim
Goodyear, AZ USA 08/20/2008 01:51 PM EST

We must pray for the souls of our American Bishops who allow communion to be given to excommunicated Catholics in public office, who are publically excommunicated de facto because they publically vote for and support abortion.

Published by: Arline T. Kendrick
Daytona Beach, FL 08/20/2008 12:53 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Bishop Burke is to be commended! It's about time the Catholic Church spoke out against Catholics receiving Jesus who are not in the state of grace. They need to abstain. Abortion is an intrinscially evil mortal sin, and anyone who advocates it commits such sin and is not fit to receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Savior.

Published by: Athanasius
Chicago, IL USA 08/20/2008 12:43 PM EST

You should once again check the Church's teaching on Capital Punishment...the Church is not against Capital Punishment...which it says the Government has the right to protect Innocent Life. JPII said that countries such as America should not have to use it.
The Governments use of Capital Punishment comes from the power given to each government from the 10 Commandments.

Published by: Jane Brennan
Centennial, CO USA 08/20/2008 12:20 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

The death penalty for the unborn was instituted in this country in 1973. Roe v Wade and it's companion case Doe V Bolton brought a death sentence upon over 40 million INNOCENT human beings. The promoters of this death penalty are manipulative and users. I know because I fell victim to it as a young, pregnant college student. I believed the "lie" that it wasn't a baby just a clump of cells. Many years later when I found out the truth that I in fact had my baby killed, I became determined to expose the lies of the manipulators who use women. God Bless Bishop Burke.

Published by: Joseph Wagner
Sarasota Fl. USA 08/20/2008 12:17 PM EST

Hi

Saying abortion is o.k. is not O.K. They should be refused holy Communion

Joe Wagner

Published by: william richter
saginaw, michigan 08/20/2008 12:09 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Burke. The remnant few appreciate this. We really don't have any candidate to vote for in the presidencial election. McCain has switched his position many times and war is not the answer. Kennedy had it right, the peace-corp.

Published by: Greg
Stegner 08/20/2008 11:43 AM EST

As to equating abortion with capital punishiment - punishing the innocent is not the same as punishing the guilty.

Published by: Mary Lou
Buffalo, N.Y. USA 08/20/2008 11:37 AM EST

Archbishop Raymond Burke has made the most sense in regard to this sensitive issue. Pro-Life foes such as your modern day feminists consider it a snub from the Catholic Church to refuse them Communion. But they are so wrapped up in the emotional aspect of it that they are unable to realize and aknowledge the Spiritual aspects of not being able to receive Communion, and the harm and condemnation that they are bringing down upon themselves.

Published by: Joseph Ada
USA 08/20/2008 11:22 AM EST

What about the good archbishop in Washington, D.C. Archbishop Donald Wuerl? He routinely disregards this approach. Will he now change? Is he listening?

Published by: Ross
NY, NY 08/20/2008 11:16 AM EST

Jesus said "blessed are you when people insult you and hate you, persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you on account of My name. Rejoice and be glad, for great will be your reward in heaven."

So the good Archbishop has been and will be rejoicing. He may be the next pope for moving us forward in tradition instead of backwards in sin and novelty. He embraces what came down to us from the apostles, not strange new doctrines. Deo gratias!

Published by: Ted
Dayton, NJ 08/20/2008 10:53 AM EST

Rate: Good

Does anyone recall seeing pictures in the news of JPII distributing the Euchrist to the Argentinian Generals, who seized control of the government and mass murdered their opponents? I do. That may have been okay though because he was the pope, and anyway the Generals weren't abortionists.

Published by: Bob Pax
Vienna Va. 08/20/2008 10:45 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

What I find particularly disturbing are priests and sisters who are otherwise decent Catholics who plan to vote for Obama "other important issues exist" besides abortion.This is a great scandal for the ordinary impressible Catholic.How could priests who have presumably studied moral theology rationalize this? Is this a carry-over from the "seamless garment" concept?

Published by: Priscilla Gray
Delray Beach, FL 08/20/2008 10:39 AM EST

God bless Archbishop Burke and our Holy Father who appointed him! After so many years of scandal by Catholic politicians we shall have justice and a Church commitment to defending innocent life.

Published by: elm
Grand Rapids, MI USA 08/20/2008 10:15 AM EST

Many times those who want to abolish the death penalty are a little bit squishy on abortion rights. We need to abolish abortion which is a death sentence and then work on not executing those who are commiting crimes against society. Let's not just work to overturn Roe, but abolish the killing of innocents from conception to end of life.

Published by: william
Wisconsin 08/20/2008 10:09 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

McCain should just choose Rick Santorum. He's Catholic, from Pennsylvania, smart, young, goodlooking, and 100% prolife. Rick lost his Senate seat in PA due to an extremely hostile, liberal media and lack of help from the national Republicans. C'mon folks, make some noise: Rick Santorum for VP!

Published by: Dorothy Maffei
Bristol,Ct,USA 08/20/2008 09:24 AM EST

God bless the priests who refuse House Speaker Pelosi and Senator Dodd from receiving the Precious Body and Blood of Christ. It is time for this religion to speak up and be counted. It has a spiritual and moral obligation to instruct the faithful in the case of abortion, one's conscience does not factor in. When your Popes and Bishops tell you under the blanket of infallibility(be it Papal or Common)that abortion is evil and is wrong, then, no one can say "their conscience allows them to disagree." Let's all pray that this evil, which has hampered this nation from being the Christian republic that the foundling fathers intended, to be wiped from our "laws" forever.

Published by: Roger Boucher
Rochester, NH USA 08/20/2008 08:38 AM EST

Ms. Hale needs to retool her view of the 'nice' Jesus. He was good not middle class 'nice'. His counsel: "It would be better for one to have a millstone put around his neck and thrown into the sea, than to do harm to one of the least of these (children). As for shoofoolatte...it is true that bad cath-holics are everywhere. Let's check out the ones who supported the Clinton war in Bosnia where we killed thousands by sky-high bombing (for which Bill's name was brought before a the international warcrimes tribunal... and what happened to THAT?). Thanks for a Burke who might push a few AmBishops in the right direction. Mean- time, read the church's teaching on Capital punishment. It has always been pro- capital punishment. Current adaptations by AmBishops and JPII are NOT the teaching for the catechism or the church. It isn't the 'sensu fideum' either. Innovations by clergy one has to watch out for...even in AmBishops and some Popes.

Published by: BennoII
Belton, TX 08/20/2008 08:14 AM EST

This 'feel good' idea is great in that this issue is in front of the upcoming election, however, what good is it that Politicians may ignore the 'suggestion' since the word, 'should not' is used rather than 'may not or cannot receive!' In addition, how about the millions of Catholics who vote for those very same politicians over and over again? What about the Priest who also vote for those Politicians and refuse for address the issue? What about those Priest, Bishops and yes, Cardinals who give Communion to those politicans? Who castizes them?

Published by: Warren
Victoria, BC, Canada 08/19/2008 11:18 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Thank God for Archbishop Burke. Catholic politicians who defy Church teaching are probably not going to lose much sleep if they are coddled or merely warned. If we truly love our brothers and sisters we should censure them now because, if they are not confronted with their errors and do not repent, they will face a horrible reality which their own obstinate sin has created for them.

Published by: Gianna
St.Louis MO,US 08/19/2008 10:59 PM EST

Thank you Archbishop Burke! We love you! We are praying for you!
Thanks for speaking the Truth.

Published by: anon
cincinnati 08/19/2008 02:29 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

At Georgetown last year, Archbishop Burke stated that abortion is ALWAYS an intrinsic evil and that this is not a debatable point. He did say that there was legitimate room for disagreement on the implementation of Church teaching when it comes to just war and the death penalty. War and the death penalty are not intrinsically evil. Some wars are just wars and execution is sometimes permissible. Abortion, however, is ALWAYS wrong.

Published by: James
tampa/FL 08/19/2008 02:08 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

To Rebecca Ann

The Catholic Churches teachings are beautiful in their consistent defense of human life. The teachings of the Church on war are available to you if you desire to do some study. It involves the concepts of what is called Just War Theory and I suggest you so the research. Clearly our Lord teaches us through His Church and His Word that killing is morally wrong and something we should not do. We know however there are times when we must take up arms to defend innocent life, hence we have a just cause, as was the case when Hitler went on his murderous rampage across Europe. Determination of the "Justness of a War" is not as simple while in the middle of a war as there are many lies that must be vetted. That being said, could the war in Iraq be seen as a 'Just War'; possibly. It is seen by many as the liberation of an oppressed people and a response to an attack on our country to prevent further attacks on our soil. Right or wrong both views are not easily dismissed. As to the murder of an innocent child in the womb, this is easy to see as an intrinsically evil act. The Church has consistently taught this; and this is why it must be answered to by our pro-'choice' politicians because there is no wiggle room on the moral nature of abortion. If you are Catholic and a pro-choice politician at work to defend abortion 'so called rights', you should not receive communion for your soul is in a grave condition.

Published by: Chris
cromwell, ct 08/19/2008 01:44 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

To Rebecca's question: Abortion and war, and capital punishment too, are not equivalent issues. Abortion is always evil and can never be justified. There is such a thing as a just war- the legitimate defense of persons, on a national scale. It can even be a duty for a country to engage in a war, and thus sinful if they fail to do so. Christianity has thus never been considered a pacifist religion. A person dying in a war is thus not the same as someone dying by abortion; just as someone killing in self-defense is not murder. The argument then centers around whether certain conditions for a just war have been realized. There can be legitimate opposing views in this regard. However, one can never try to legitimize an intrinsicaly evil act.

Published by: Jack Angelo Territo
Buffalo, ny, USA 08/19/2008 01:25 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Archbishop Burke, the largest abortion mill (planned parenthod) is run by Catholics, 15 pro-abortion Catholic Senators recieve Communion, 45 Congressmen including another Catholic ,Nancy Pelosi are pro-abortion ,pro-homosexuality,American Catholic Universities are run by Pro-abortion ,pro-homosexuality educators and bishops.

Published by: Frank
Phoenix/AZ/USA 08/19/2008 12:51 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Thank God that a Bishop is telling it like it is. Archbishop Burke now joins Bishop Chaput in teaching the faith. Where are the public announcements of all the U.S. Bishops on this subject, and with this specificity?

Published by: Rebecca Ann Hale
Reno, NV USA 08/19/2008 12:11 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Can you please explain the Church's position regarding politioians, and business people, who openly support pre-emptive wars, which consistently harm civilians, especially harming non -combatants such as women and children. Is this not also considered the taking of innocent life? Should public supporters of those acts also reform their lives before professing to be followers of Jesus Christ and taking Communion at Mass? I have never seen a Gospel story, where Jesus spoke, that counseled for a violent solution bringing about physical harm, to anyone, for any problem. Can you please help me to understand this apparent dichotomy, as the Church discusses "respecting life" ? I think many people would find this topic of interest, especially during this election.

Published by: shoofoolatte
St. Charles, MO 08/19/2008 11:53 AM EST

Rate: Regular

I just wish that, as a leader and teacher, Archbishop Burke were as vocal on the Catholic Church's opposition to capital punishment as he has been on its opposition to abortion. For over 25 years, U. S. Catholic Bishops have repeatedly called for an end to the death penalty in the United States, citing that its use should be abandoned not just for what it does for those who are executed, but for what it does to us as a society. We cannot teach respect for life by taking life.

Yet, even our five Catholic Supreme Court Justices do not understand Catholic teaching on the death penalty. If just one justice were to change his position on capital punishment, the death penalty could soon be abolished in the United States.

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J.
Bronx, NY 08/19/2008 11:16 AM EST

The Church should be prepared to address possible Catholic Vice Presidents, either Gov. Keane or Sen Biden to serve with Sen Obama. Gov Keane says that he is pro-life. Sen Biden states that he is pro-choice. The VP must follow the lead of the presidential candidate. In either case, the Catholic would run counter to the Church's teaching.
On the Republican side, the issue is slightly different because if Gov Ridge is chosen, he has stated that the VP will indeed endorse the pro-life view of Sen McCain.

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