BALTIMORE, Maryland (LifeSiteNews) – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has voted to accept the much-discussed document on the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church which completely avoids any mention of the reception of Holy Communion by pro-abortion politicians.
Assembled members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) decided the fate of the document in a secret, electronic ballot, while meeting in Baltimore November 17, as part of their Fall Assembly.
The document, entitled “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the life of the Church,” was approved with 222 votes in favor, 8 against, and 3 abstentions. Such an approval margin is far greater than during the USCCB Spring Assembly, when the document’s drafting was approved by 168 to 55.
The clear and ready approval of the document in the Fall Assembly could be due to the notable absence of any discussion of the distribution of Holy Communion for pro-abortion politicians.
The public sessions of June’s online meeting were marked by visible dissent, as certain bishops and cardinals were concerned that the document might contain the Catholic Church’s teaching prohibiting those who “obstinately” persevere “in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”
Prominent amongst such dissenting voices were Cardinal Cupich of Chicago, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Bishop Medley of Owensboro, and Bishop Joseph Bambera of Scranton. These prelates wished to avoid any mention of refusing Holy Communion for pro-abortion politicians, such as Joe Biden.
Days after the close of the Spring meeting, the USCCB released a short document, stating that the content of the proposed Eucharistic document would avoid forming any “national policy on withholding Communion from politicians.”
This Post Has 3 Comments
In plain English: Many of our bishops are hirelings, not shepherds. They are cowards, who run away when they should be taking a stand. That is why I don’t contribute to any diocesan collections; I don’t subsidize hirelings.
I’d love to know who the 8 bishops were who voted against this. If mine voted for it, I’m with Bill above and no more $$ to my diocese. It’s going to Tyler, Texas!
STEVE RAY HERE: Agreed!
I thank God that Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte NC banned Holy Communion to proabortion politicians in 2004. God bless him.
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