Archbishop Burke: public figures must receive Holy Communion worthily

Pastors must protect the holiness of the Eucharist and communicant’s soul

From Catholic News Agency

St. Louis, Oct 2, 2007 / 10:24 am (CNA).- In an essay certain to have an impact on American politics, Archbishop Raymond Burke of the Archdiocese of St. Louis has criticized lax attitudes concerning the reception of the Holy Eucharist. His words continue a long-standing debate about whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should receive communion.

It only a "debate" among those who refuse to recognize that the Holy Eucharist needs to be protected from profanation and that some souls must be denied It because of grave sin which is manifested publicly.

A link to Archbishop Burke's essay can be found to the left in the sidebar.

Archbishop Burke closed his essay by admonishing priests and bishops to fulfill their difficult duty:

"No matter how often a bishop or priest repeats the teaching of the Church regarding procured abortion, if he stands by and does nothing to discipline a Catholic who publicly supports legislation permitting the gravest of injustices and, at the same time, presents himself to receive Holy Communion, then his teaching rings hollow. To remain silent is to permit serious confusion regarding a fundamental truth of the moral law."

And the scandal that ensues further diminishes the reverence and respect due to all that is sacred.