Washington D.C., Jul 22, 2004 / 22:00 pm
An Associated Press report reveals that Catholic lawmakers are ignoring the U.S. bishops’ statements that those who support abortion should not receive Communion. The report, based on interviews with 75 Catholic politicians and published yesterday, also reveals that Catholic politicians do not believe voting for abortion jeopardizes their standing in the Church.
At the end of their plenary in June, the U.S. bishops issued a statement that lawmakers, who consistently support abortion, risk "cooperating in evil" and must examine whether they should receive the sacrament.
However, many of the politicians interviewed said they would not change how they worship and resented attempts to link the Communion to politics.
Virginia Lt. Gov Tim Kaine, who supports abortion rights with restrictions requiring parental consent for minors and banning late-term abortions, told the AP that he believes he is in accordance with Church teaching.