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===Joe Biden===
===Joe Biden===
After [[Joe Biden]], a pro-choice Catholic, was nominated as a vice presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential election, Bishop [[Joseph Francis Martino]] of Biden's hometown of [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], said Biden would be refused communion in [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton|that diocese]] because of his support for abortion rights.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |first=David |last=Kirkpatrick |title=Abortion Issue Again Dividing Catholic Votes |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/us/politics/17catholics.html?bl&ex=1221883200&en=1e3acb5115249581&ei=5087%0A |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-09-16 |accessdate=2011-12-26 }}</ref> Biden was not refused communion in his then-parish of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington|Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref name=MSN>{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/08/24/4433783-abortion-politics-biden-never-refused-communion |title=Abortion politics: Biden never refused communion |work=msnbc.com |first=Mike |last=Memoli |date=2008-12-24 |accessdate=2011-12-26}}</ref>
After [[Joe Biden]], a pro-choice Catholic, was nominated as a vice presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential election, Bishop [[Joseph Francis Martino]] of Biden's hometown of [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], said Biden would be refused communion in [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton|that diocese]] because of his support for abortion rights.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |first=David |last=Kirkpatrick |title=Abortion Issue Again Dividing Catholic Votes |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/us/politics/17catholics.html?bl&ex=1221883200&en=1e3acb5115249581&ei=5087%0A |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2008-09-16 |accessdate=2011-12-26 }}</ref> Biden was not refused communion in his then-parish of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington|Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref name=MSN>{{cite web |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2008/08/24/4433783-abortion-politics-biden-never-refused-communion |title=Abortion politics: Biden never refused communion |work=msnbc.com |first=Mike |last=Memoli |date=2008-12-24 |accessdate=2011-12-26}}</ref>

===Nancy Pelosi===
In 2008, some Catholic organizations demanded that [[Nancy Pelosi]], a self-described pro-choice politician reported to have voted for laws that promote abortion,<ref name=Pelosi>{{Cite news |publisher=CNSNews |url=http://cnsnews.com/news/article/catholic-group-petitions-pope-excommunicate-nancy-pelosi |title=Catholic Group Petitions Pope to Excommunicate Nancy Pelosi |first=Michael |last=Chapman |date=20 February 2009}}</ref> should be denied communion or that she should be excommunicated, and held a public demonstration in support of their demands.<ref>{{Cite news |publisher=Reuters |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/02/idUS232375+02-Oct-2008+PRN20081002 |title=A.L.L. Calls on Washington, D.C. Archbishop to Enforce Canon 915 at Red Mass Sunday |first=Katie |last=Walker |date=2 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |publisher=PR Newswire |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/multicultural-latest-news/palm-sunday-demonstration-at-wash-dc-cathedral-calling-on-archbishop-wuerl-to-excommunicate-nancy-pelosi-89331792.html |title=Palm Sunday Demonstration at Wash. DC Cathedral Calling on Archbishop Wuerl to Excommunicate Nancy Pelosi |first=Diana |last=Roccograndi |date=2 October 2008}}</ref> In response, Cardinal Archbishop of Washington [[Donald Wuerl]] said that the legal approach had never in his experience changed hearts, making it preferable to use a pastoral, teaching mode with patience, persistence and insistence.<ref name=PD>{{Cite news |publisher=Politics Daily |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/05/06/archbishop-wuerl-why-i-won-t-deny-pelosi-communion/ |title=Wuerl: Why I Won't Deny Pelosi Communion |first=Melinda |last=Henneberger |date=11 May 2009}}</ref><ref name=Schmaltz>{{Cite news |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor |url=http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/4054/Return-of-the-Communion-Wars.aspx |title=Return of the 'Communion Wars' |first=Valerie |last=Schmaltz |date=28 September 2008}}</ref> In February 2009, when Pelosi was about to be received in audience by [[Pope Benedict XVI]], an American pro-life group appealed to the Pope to excommunicate her, saying that the archbishops of San Francisco, where she has her home, and of Washington, where she is Speaker of the House of Representatives, refused to take action against her – in fact, in neither diocese has communion been withheld from her.<ref name=Pelosi/> After the audience of the Pope, the Holy See Press Office issued a statement: "His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."<ref name=Pelosi/>


===Patrick Kennedy===
===Patrick Kennedy===

Revision as of 07:59, 17 January 2012

The Roman Catholic Church opposes abortion, and many controversies have arisen over its treatment of Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. In most cases, Church officials have threatened to refuse communion to these politicians. In some cases, officials have stated that the politicians should refrain from receiving communion; in others, the possibility of excommunication has been suggested.

In the United States

Further information: Catholic Church and politics in the United States

In 2004, there was discussion of whether communion should be refused to American Catholic politicians who voted for legalizing abortion.[1] With a few American bishops in favor of withholding communion from politicians and the majority against, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decided that such matters should be decided on a case-by-case basis by the individual bishops.[2] In 2005, Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh said no individual bishop should on his own deny communion to politicians because of "national ramifications", and suggested that such an action should be taken only on the basis of a two-thirds majority of all of the bishops or as mandated by the Vatican, while bishops Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix and Charles J. Chaput of Denver stated they would act on their own initiative.[3] In 2008, Raymond Burke, former archbishop of St. Louis and subsequently assigned to the Vatican said communion should not be given to such politicians, arguing that support for abortion rights is a mortal sin that makes a person unfit for communion, and denial of communion would prevent other Catholics from thinking, because they see that pro-choice politicians can receive communion, that being pro-choice is an acceptable political position.[2]

Those few[4] bishops who support denying communion to pro-choice Catholic legislators interpret canon 915 as justifying such action.[5] In 2009, Wuerl argued that communion was not intended to be used as a weapon and that a pastoral approach would be more effective for changing minds than a canonical one.[6]

These statements of intent from church authorities have sometimes led American Catholic voters to vote for candidates who wish to ban abortion, rather than pro-choice candidates who support other Catholic Church positions on issues such as war, health care, immigration, or lowering the abortion rate.[7] Penalties of this kind from bishops have generally targeted Democrats, although a number of prominent Republican politicians are also pro-choice, possibly because pro-choice Catholic Democrats are more vocal in their support for abortion than pro-choice Catholic Republicans.[8]

Proposals to deny communion to pro-choice politicians are unique to the United States. Suggested reasons for this uniqueness are a politicization of pastoral practice and abortion's constitutional status as a right.[2][1]

Lucy Killea

During a special election for the California Senate in 1989, pro-choice Catholic Lucy Killea was barred from communion by Leo Thomas Maher, the bishop of San Diego.[8] This was the first instance of a politician being censured in this way.[9] She received communion in Sacramento with the consent of Bishop Francis Quinn.[10] The incident brought publicity to Killea's candidacy and gained her the voters' sympathy, helping her to win the election.[11][12]

Mario Cuomo

In 1984, Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, then archbishop of New York, considered excommunicating New York Governor Mario Cuomo.[13][14] He also condemned Cuomo's statements that support for abortion rights did not contradict Catholic teaching, but did not suggest that Cuomo should stop receiving communion.[15]

Gray Davis

In January 2003, Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento said Governor of California Gray Davis, a Catholic who supported abortion rights, should stop taking communion.[8]

John Kerry

In 2004, Archbishop Burke said he would not give communion to 2004 presidential candidate and Senator John Kerry, in part because of his position on abortion. According to religion experts, such a denial of communion would have been unprecedented.[16][17] Kerry's own Archbishop Sean O'Malley refused to specify the applicability of his earlier statement that such Catholics are in a state of grave sin and cannot properly receive communion.[16]

The issue led to comparisons between Kerry's presidential campaign and that of John F. Kennedy in 1960. While Kennedy had to demonstrate his independence from the Roman Catholic Church due to public fear that a Catholic president would make decisions based on Vatican commands, it seemed that Kerry, in contrast, had to show obedience to Catholic authorities in order to win votes.[8][18][19][20][21]

Rudy Giuliani

In 2007, Burke said that he would deny communion to 2008 Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani because of his views on abortion, and that Giuliani should not seek the sacrament.[17]

Kathleen Sebelius

In May 2008, Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann said that Kathleen Sebelius should stop receiving communion because of her support for abortion rights, and that she should not again take it unless she publicly stated that she opposed abortion rights.[22][23][24]

Joe Biden

After Joe Biden, a pro-choice Catholic, was nominated as a vice presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential election, Bishop Joseph Francis Martino of Biden's hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, said Biden would be refused communion in that diocese because of his support for abortion rights.[7] Biden was not refused communion in his then-parish of Wilmington, Delaware.[25]

Patrick Kennedy

In November 2009, Bishop Thomas Tobin barred Representative Patrick Kennedy from communion because of his position on abortion.[26] Kennedy told the Providence Journal that Tobin instructed priests in the diocese not to give him communion; Tobin denied this.[26]

Europe

In Europe, Catholic bishops have not raised the question of refusing communion to pro-choice Catholic legislators: there "rigorous principles coexist with more flexible pastoral customs".[2] In January 2001, Pope John Paul II gave Communion to Mayor of Rome Francesco Rutelli, whose position is that of being "personally opposed to abortion, but not willing to impose his stance through law". Similar cases are found among parliamentarians in Austria, Belgium and Germany.[1] When the Spanish Parliament voted to liberalize that country's abortion laws in 2010, the Bishops Conference declared that the parliamentarians who chose to vote for the new law were not excommunicated, but that they "seriously separated themselves from the church and should not receive Communion." King Juan Carlos, who was constitutionally required to sign the law, did not fall under any church sanctions.[27]

Mexico

In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI expressed support for the Mexican bishops' envisaged excommunication of politicians who had voted to legalize abortion in Mexico City. Responding to a journalist's question, "Do you agree with the excommunications given to legislators in Mexico City on the question?" the Pope said: "Yes. The excommunication was not something arbitrary. It is part of the (canon law) code. It is based simply on the principle that the killing of an innocent human child is incompatible with going in Communion with the body of Christ. Thus, they (the bishops) didn't do anything new or anything surprising. Or arbitrary."[28] According to Der Spiegel, many journalists were wondering if this support could be interpreted as a wish to excommunicate such politicians,[29]; Time magazine reported that it was in fact such a declaration.[30] However, church officials said that it was not a declaration but appeared to be a misunderstanding.[28] Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, clarified that the Pope was not excommunicating anyone, since the Mexican bishops had not in fact declared an excommunication, and that he did not mean to depart from a recent declaration that placed the decision to leave the Church in the hands of individual politicians. However, Lombardi said "politicians who vote in favor of abortion should not receive the sacrament of Holy Communion", because their action is "incompatible with participation in the Eucharist."[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Word from Rome", John L. Allen in National Catholic Reporter, 28 May 2004]
  2. ^ a b c d Sandro Magister, "Obama's Pick for Vice President Is Catholic. But the Bishops Deny Him Communion"
  3. ^ Major, Richard (August 27, 2005), "Communion for pro-choice politicians splits Church", The Tablet
  4. ^ John Allen, "Antiabortion imperative more complex than acknowledged: John Allen: bishops' views on abortion"
  5. ^ Michael Sean Winters, "Chaput Cites Disunity Among Bishops on Canon 915" in National Catholic Reporter, 12 April 2011
  6. ^ Henneberger, Melinda (11 May 2009). "Wuerl: Why I Won't Deny Pelosi Communion". Politics Daily.
  7. ^ a b Kirkpatrick, David (2008-09-16). "Abortion Issue Again Dividing Catholic Votes". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  8. ^ a b c d Ainsworth, Bill (2004-06-09). "Catholics giving governor a pass on abortion" (pdf). The San-Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  9. ^ "A Bishop Says No". Time. November 27, 1989.
  10. ^ Lundstrom, Marjie (February 1, 2003). "Abortion foes cross line with attacks on elected officials". Sacramento Bee.
  11. ^ "Abortion and Religion Put Focus on Election". New York Times. December 3, 1989.
  12. ^ "Bishop Leo Maher, 75; Led San Diego Diocese". New York Times. February 25, 1991.
  13. ^ Beltramini, Enrico (September 12, 2009). "Il cattolicesimo politico in America". Limes (in Italian). Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  14. ^ West, John G.; MacLean, Iain S. (1999). Encyclopedia of religion in American politics, Volume 2. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 98. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  15. ^ Mike Dorning, "Catholic politicians feel church heat on abortion" in Chicago Tribune, 26 April 2003
  16. ^ a b Hancock, David (2004-04-06). "Kerry's Communion Controversy". CBS News. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  17. ^ a b "Outspoken Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke Says He'd Deny Rudy Giuliani Communion". Fox News. AP. 2007-10-03. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  18. ^ McAteer, Michael (June 26, 2004). "Questioning Catholic hierarchy's priorities". Toronto Star.
  19. ^ Jacoby, Susan (May 3, 2004). "The Catholic Church and the Presidential Election: Vatican makes common cause with fundamentalist Protestants". San Francisco Chronicle.
  20. ^ Balz, Dan; Cooperman, Alan (June 4, 2004). "Bush, Pope to Meet Today at the Vatican". Washington Post.
  21. ^ Gibson, David (2007). The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World. HarperCollins. p. 42.
  22. ^ "For Sebelius, More Opposition from KC's Archbishop". The Atlantic. 5 March 2009.
  23. ^ "Rigid bishops one-up the popes". National Catholic Reporter. May 30, 2008. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  24. ^ Burke, Daniel (May 13, 2008). "Kansas Gov. Sebelius told not to take Communion". Religion News Service.
  25. ^ Memoli, Mike (2008-12-24). "Abortion politics: Biden never refused communion". msnbc.com. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  26. ^ a b "Bishop bars Patrick Kennedy from Communion over abortion". CNN. November 22, 2009.
  27. ^ "No Sanction for Spanish King Signing Abortion Law". National Catholic Reporter. 2010-02-26. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
  28. ^ a b "Pope arrives in Brazil with tough abortion stance". USA Today (Associated Press service). 10 May 2007.
  29. ^ Der Spiegel. Pope Attacks Mexico City Politicians. May 10, 2007.
  30. ^ Israely, Jeff (May 9, 2007). "Pope Rejects Pro-Choice Politicians". Time.
  31. ^ "Pope condemns abortion on Latin America trip". Associated Press. May 9, 2007.

See also

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