Washington’s archbishop, who will be made a cardinal this weekend, told a journalist Tuesday that in his diocese, he will not deny Holy Communion to a politician who has pledged to enshrine access to abortion in federal law and permit federal funding of abortions. That politician is President-elect Joe Biden.
Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s comment is sure to raise questions about the Church’s pro-life witness. But for some Catholics, the remark might also raise questions about the sincerity of U.S. bishops on the topic of ecclesial reform.
In 2004, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then head of the Church’s doctrinal office, told U.S. bishops in a memo that a Catholic politician “consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws” is engaged in “manifest” and “formal cooperation” in grave sin….
If history is predictive, some Catholics will praise Gregory as a witness of civility and tolerance. They will say that no one should politicize the Eucharist, and that denying Holy Communion is not pastoral, or prudent.
They will not be the first to use that language.
In 2004, when U.S. bishops discussed pro-choice politicians and the Eucharist, one cardinal among them was charged with summarizing the memo sent from Ratzinger to bishops on the subject, as few of them had yet received it. The cardinal downplayed the memo, saying addressing the matter at all was up to the discretion of U.S. bishops.
“The question for us is not simply whether denial of Communion is possible, but whether it is pastorally wise and prudent,” the cardinal said.
That cardinal was Theodore McCarrick.
At the 2004 spring meeting of U.S. bishops, which took place in Denver, McCarrick inaccurately summarized the instructions of the Vatican on Holy Communion, omitting Ratzinger’s normative direction. Under McCarrick’s influence, the bishops decided the best way to handle the question was to defer to the individual judgement of bishops.
The memo, incidentally, was sent ahead of the meeting to two U.S. bishops: McCarrick, and the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, Bishop Wilton Gregory….
The above comes from a Nov. 24 story on the site of the Catholic News Agency.
Archbishop Gregory has said he will be happy to give Holy Communion to radical pro-abortion fanatic Joe Biden. When the giving and receiving positions in the communion line are populated with characters like these, the Church is even worse off than the state. Both of these men have ugly skeletons in their respective closets, it’s just a matter of time before it all comes spilling out. Oh the stench!
Now I totally understand why priests have no respect for him.
Still waiting for God to show he’s in charge. Do something, already. When this many scoundrels get the goodies and the power it gives lie to, “Blessed are those who fear the Lord.” Sure seems like it’s the wicked who are blessed and get away with it.
Kevin, maybe He is. The Vatican created a new Mass for the COVID pandemic. The Mass already in existence for pestilence isn’t popular with some Church leaders because the Scripture readings indicate that pestilence may be part of God’s judgment. When God answers prayer, He isn’t always saying “Yes, great job!”
And, the Church should repent of its pachamama idolatry.
Maybe we get the leaders we deserve.
I had nothing to do with Pachamama. I had nothing to do with the selection of bishops nor the pope. I am indignant that anyone would assert that I have to suffer because of what the pope and bishops have done or that I have gotten the ecclesiastical leaders that I deserve.
Kevin — You seem to have no idea of the mystical nature of the Church. I really do feel sorry for you and your endless whining.
You might also want to better understand that you are part of the Church Militant. You are a miles Christi whether you want to be or not And, at your particular judgment you will have to answer to our CinC.
I don’t need nor want your pity. I want God to do something to help. What’s the practical difference between a God who does nothing and no God at all? No difference. Any Catholic who isn’t disgusted and demoralized about the state of the Church is not paying attention or is naive.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His Purpose. Romans 8:28
Kevin T., this is a sinful, “fallen” world! The Old Testament completely describes the “fallen” nature of mankind, and of the world. Many people might be led to think that Christ was a failure– He was born in a lowly stable, “no room for Him in the Inn,” and His ministry barely survived three years– ending in betrayal by one of His own disciples, and a mock trial and execution. Jesus told people the Truth, urging sinners to repent and return to God. Great saints later followed in His footsteps– and many were martyred. It takes a lot of maturity to listen to and follow Jesus! God knows well, the sinful Church leaders of today–they will face terrible consequences for their sins! As for us laypeople– we have the responsibility to pray, seek to follow Christ no matter what, and do all the good we can. We must leave results, outcomes of our strivings– to God, and work diligently, faithfully for Him– and trust. It is really Christ Who mystically does His work, through us, on earth! We must give Him our “fiat!”– and not worry about results, outcomes– life is a Mystery, all is in His Hands! The true Church is in Heaven, with the saints, who adore God, along with the choirs of holy angels. Modern saints who are just small laypeople, have no power in the Vatican, and they simply sidestep sinful Church leaders, ignore them, pray for them, and keep on faithfully following Christ! A good example for us!
Keven-We are the hands of God in the world.We are the ones who need to do something about it.Our faith is repleate with stories of people who want to sit back and hope that God reacts in the way they wish rather than get in volved themselves.
That’s Deism, and I’ll have none of it. The Bible is replete with accounts of God acting in the world on behalf of his people to save them. Where is he now? I have worked for the Church for over thirty years. Don’t tell me I’m not involved. You know what I’ve gotten for my service to the Church and my faithfulness? Screwed.
Kevin T.– Christ too, was badly hurt– betrayed by one of His own, and crucified, though He was innocent! Centuries of martyrs, worldwide, later shed their blood for love of Him! Always work for God– not for lowly, sinful human beings! All good work for Christ glorifies God in Heaven!
Kevin T., I would like to hear your story but I understand if you do not want to share. I have met a lot of people who have gotten “screwed” by the “Church” (although it is not really the Church, it is usually a parish or diocesan employee.) And appeals for justice are treated dismissively. A common reaction is “I am just going to Mass and will not ever do another thing for the Church” I also know people who left the church because of it. Maybe they were mad at God for a while, but eventually they came to realize that the Church is full of people who are flawed and faulty. God moved them on away from those people and onto other things.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.
For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
If you are without discipline, in which all have shared, you are not sons but bastards.
Hebrews 12:1-8
Kevin T., if someone told you a decade ago that in 10 years time you would be writing heresy and willful doubts and taking them to a publisher to have them spread across the world, would you have believed them?
In an article in America, about a year ago, Cardinal Dolan said the same thing.
Please stop reading America magazine. It is an uber liberal Jesuit rag with a rainbow agenda. Lots of other sources for Catholic news, try Lifesite or Church Militant for honest coverage.
Outrageous. Biden advocates abortion for any reason up to the moment of birth and that taxayers should pay for it. Wilton should not be elevated to cardinal.
What is correct is correct and what is wrong is wrong. The Canon Law of the Catholic Church is specific and Mr .Biden has self excommunicated himself by his position on abortion. No hearing, automatic. For the Archbishop, or any other prelate, to provide any sacrament to him is wrong and a serious sin on his part – forget what is expedient.
Nope. Not as clear-cut as you claim. As for Canon Law, a latae sententiae excommunication is incurred by successfully procuring an abortion, not by supporting or legislatively enacting laws that permit or increase access to abortion. Public support for abortion, same-sex marriage and transgenderism, such as Joe Biden has exhibited, is more along the lines of persisting in manifest objectively grave sin, which does not incur a latae sententiae excommunication. Rather, it is up to a bishop who has authority over Joe Biden to address and handle the matter, which should include announcing that he is prohibited from receiving Communion and could include a public pronouncement of a judgment of excommunication. If (probably when) President Biden uses his executive power to increase the scope of legal abortion, he will certainly deserve a judgment of excommunication; but in his capacity as a government legislator or executive he has nor nor could he be guilty of procuring an abortion in the sense meant by Canon Law that would incur an automatic excommunication.
Is the author suggesting Abp Gregory is guilty of the same sexual perversions which got McCarick defrocked? The picture is, at best, confusing.
mike m.– McCarrick is Gregory’s predecessor– he used to be the Cardinal Abp. of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C
AB Gregory, being made a cardinal today, is following ex-Cardinal McCarrick not only in governance, but in giving Holy Communion to those promoting the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent children. And, doing so despite the Church teaching noted in the story.
More than fifteen years ago, I happened to be talking to the secretary to a bishop of a California diocese, who had been defrocked and prosecuted for clergy child sex abuse. I was in absolute horror, when she told me that the bishop visited her family and had dinner on numerous social occasions– and guess what this “guest” in their home did?? He found her 8-year-old son one day– and brutally sodomized the poor child!– and on later occasions, repeated his evils! When this poor lady and her husband found out, they were beside themselves with grief, shock, anger, sorrow, and torment! But they didn’t leave the Church. She and many other victims’ families prosecuted the criminal, and he was defrocked and sent to prison. Then she worked for another bishop. They got help for their poor, suffering son, and remained faithful to Christ– and to His Church. It took a long time for this poor family to recover. Child rape is a horror beyond belief!
Is there anyone here who is surprised that there is a bishop unwilling to do his job?
I am well aware who Mr. McCarick was and who — as of tomorrow — Cdl. Gregory is. The picture is still confusing.
Gregory is very pro LGBT. He strongly suggested, forced, his diocesan priests to bow publicly to BLM. He will give Holy Communion to publicly dissenting “Catholics” who support and perform same sex weddings and fight for abortion. He gave the keynote address to the dissident Association of U.S. Catholic Priests. He appointed a pro abortion attorney to the USCCB’s National Board of Review. Read more at the link provided:
https://faithfulshepherds.com/bishop/wilton-d-gregory/
President-Elect “Abortion Joe” Biden and “Murderous” Speaker Nancy Pelosi are getting ready with their threats and daggers– a huge, taxpayer-funded “Massacre of the Holy Innocents” is on-the-way! Lots of pro-lifers may go to jail! And the filthy, Satanic LGBTs and Godless, heartless feminists will reign, with their evil, terrorist, dagger-wielding threats! “We’ll bomb your house and kill you, if you don’t give us what we want!” Very “un-American” terrorist misfits!! Why doesn’t someone ever stand up to them– and boss them real good– and “break their necks??” (by “break their necks,” I mean– destroy their criminal groups and plans!) Our Church ought to “scare the hell” out of them for good! Christ was not a “wimp” when He scolded the Pharisees, called out sinners, and and drove the money-changers out of the temple! There are definite times when “sinful man” needs good discipline and “tough love” from the Shepherd!
The Church is in a complete death spiral if it can be saved within our lifetime I truly doubt it. 50 years of ripping out communion rails, high altars, statues, confessionals, kneelers, crucifixes, destroying the Traditional Latin Mass and inventing a man-made Novus Ordo in the vulgar language of English has had an effect of what Vatican II wanted the outright destruction of the Church from within, even the heretic Martin Luther did not advocate the destruction of churches or Latin for that matter how ironic is that?
RA, if California Catholic Daily had an award for consistency, you’d surely be in the running.
Pervert predator prelate? Cause: the Novus Ordo Mass.
Abortion promoting “Catholics?” Cause: the NO Mass.
Wildfires in California? Cause: the NO Mass.
No money in one’s bank account? Cause: the NO Mass.
Intestinal issues? Cause: the NO Mass.
Communist Chinese aggression? Cause: the NO Mass.
RA, is there any problem in the Church not caused by the Novus Ordo Mass?
And, do you believe the Novus Ordo Mass is invalid?
My church has statues, confessionals, kneelers, crucifixes. No communion rails because it was built in 1980s and it has 2 altars.
The Church I attend when I visit family was built in late 1970s and it has a communion rail.
The appointment of Wilton Gregory to be Archbishop of Washington and his elevation to be a cardinal is simply another piece of proof that the Church Universal has been the subject of a hostile takeover by the Lavender Mafia. We are beyond the corruption of the worst of the Renaissance at this point. I would choose Pope Alexander VI over Pope Francis any day of the week. Come Lord Jesus!