Bishop Olmsted Cautions Politicians

Catholic politicians who unambiguously support a woman's right to choose should not receive communion, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said Wednesday. But he declined to say he would deny communion to politicians who do not follow church teaching on abortion.

He said the same restrictions on communion would apply to others, including people who have divorced and remarried. "Anyone who says they are a Catholic but is living contrary to that should not receive communion."

"We need to be in conversation for as long as possible to help people see the contradiction in their lives, that (support for abortion) is bad for them and a scandal for others. There could be a stage where we go farther, but we haven't reached that stage."

He may be laying the groundwork by doing what Archbishop Burke did, that is privately trying to teach those having false or distorted opinions on what the Church teaches and requires. People, particularly those in public life, should be advised individually regarding Catholic teaching so that they have an opportunity, at the behest of the bishop, to receive and accept the Church's teaching fully, before any interdict is imposed.

Practically speaking, a bishop is then in a better position to invoke the provisions of Canon 915, as Archbishop Burke has done. Bishop Olmsted and indeed, all of the bishops, need our continued prayers in this age of moral bankruptcy and muddled thinking.

Article here.