National clergy group supports Archbishop Burke’s Communion refusal

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Comments: 12

Washington D.C., Oct 8, 2007 / 09:41 am (CNA).- The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, a national association of 600 priests and deacons, has issued a statement endorsing Archbishop Raymond Burke's position that clergy must deny Holy Communion to public figures who openly support abortion or euthanasia.

Part of the statement reads: "Archbishop Burke equally addresses politicians on both sides of the aisle. Whether Democrat, Republican or independent; executive, legislative or judicial branches; all public officials who publicly support, promote or give assistance to others to commit evil are cooperators in that evil."

Archbishop Burke, head of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, recently published an essay in a prominent canon law journal reiterating the duties of Catholics in public office to receive Holy Communion worthily. His essay further emphasized the duties of ministers of Holy Communion to ensure the Sacrament's worthy reception. He advised that clergy privately warn those potential communicants who are in manifest grave sin not to receive the Eucharist.

The confraternity's statement quoted a 2004 letter to American bishops from Pope Benedict XVI(then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger): "not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia." Therefore ""there may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about war and the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia." His letter insisted that the minister of Holy Communion "must refuse to distribute it to a Catholic politician [who] consistently campaigns and votes for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws."

The statement alluded to the parable in Matthew 22 where a man is physically removed from a wedding banquet for not wearing a wedding garment. It continued: "the man was 'speechless' and Catholic politicians have no excuse, either. If they openly support abortion and/or euthanasia, even if 'personally opposed', they are in fact publicly unworthy to receive Holy Communion due to their cooperation in evil. Greater scandal is given when bishops, priests, and deacons do not protect the sanctity and dignity of the Most Blessed Sacrament by allowing public persons notoriously known for their positions which directly violate the Divine and Moral Laws."

The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy appealed to all bishops to support Archbishop Burke at the General Assembly of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.

Comments: 12

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Sharon Walder
St Johns,MI 10/09/2007 09:59 PM EST

What took so long? I wish more archbishops,bishops and priests would take a stand for the teaching of Christ and the beliefs of the Catholic faith. Hurray, for Archbishop Burke.

Published by: Anita Restivo
Florida,USA 10/09/2007 09:56 PM EST

THANK GOD !!! that at least some of our clergy are supporting Archbishop Burke. Too many people take the Eucharist too lightly, they truly do not understand what it is they are receiving.

Published by: Gloria H. Hartman
Alcoa, TN 10/09/2007 09:34 PM EST

There have always been phony "catholics" who degrade themselves by receiving communion unworthily. Our culture of death walks around wearing the face of far too many people in high office. Archbishop Burke is not a phony bishop and I have reverence for the the Spirit in him. Evil must be challenged by men and women of courage and faith or it will triumph.

Published by: thomas warner, M.D.
madison WI 10/09/2007 08:38 PM EST

Archbishop Burke has the courage of his convictions and his Faith. He is a gentleman , a scholar and a great priest.

Published by: Mary Stechschulte
Oxford, MI 10/09/2007 12:22 PM EST

One often forgotten reason for denying the reception of the Eucharist comes from 1 Cor 11;27-29 (in part it states that if you eat or drink unworthily, you eat and drink judgement on yourself). As a pastor a priest should deny Communion for the good of the unworthy recepient too!

Published by: Nancy Jervis
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA 10/09/2007 11:13 AM EST

God bless these faithful and worthy priests who show they are worthy to lead the Lord's flock!

Published by: Regina McMahon
Upper Darby, PA, USA 10/09/2007 09:44 AM EST

Well praise God that the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy is supporting Archbishop Burke in his brave stance to deny our dear Lord being received unworthily by politicians who blatantly support abortion and give scandal by presenting themselves at the altar rail to receive Holy Communion. May our Shepherds always be pray enough to stand up for Christ and his Holy Catholic Church and not worry about being "politically correct".

Published by: Betsie
El Paso 10/09/2007 09:27 AM EST

This article took away much of my guilt about how I feel about war and sometimes the death penalty. I've always wondered why some Catholics and others can rally against the death penalty and not against abortion???

Published by: sharon
richmond,tx., usa 10/09/2007 08:35 AM EST

I also agree with Archbishop Burke. Perhaps he could talk some sense into the Bishops in Conneticut who are allowing Plan B abortion pill in Catholic hospitals.

Published by: Rommel Santos
Metro Manila, Philippines 10/09/2007 04:04 AM EST

I think the confraternity decided the matter for the right, on the premise that Catholics are supposed to be Catholics 100%. If only the bishop & parish priest of Nancy Pelosi could follow suit!
I wonder, however, if the decision extended to overt promotion of artificial contraception. Should not the confraternity have extended it to persons who are in such a situation?

Published by: George v Winternitz
Philippines 10/08/2007 06:14 PM EST

It is about time strong steps are taken!

Published by: Robert Lockwood
Lafayette, CA 10/08/2007 04:14 PM EST

Finally - some priests that believe in the teaching of our Catholic faith.

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