Joe Cervantes, a Democratic state senator from New Mexico, said his bishop and pastor are denying him Communion.
Bishop Peter Baldacchino of the Diocese of Las Cruces refused to give Communion to the pro-abortion senator, Cervantes reported Saturday. Cervantes’ pastor will also deny him Communion, the senator said.
“I was denied communion last night by the Catholic bishop here in Las Cruces and based on my political office,” wrote Cervantes on Twitter. “My new parish priest has indicated he will do the same after the last was run off.”
Cervantes concluded by appealing to Pope Francis, under whose direction the senator apparently expects the Church to become accepting of abortion: “Please pray for church authorities as Catholicism transitions under Pope Francis,” Cervantes wrote.
The news comes shortly after the U.S. bishops voted 168-55 at their annual assembly meeting in favor of drafting a teaching document on how Catholics should properly prepare before presenting themselves for Communion.
At the time, the Bishops’ decision received a firestorm of backlash from Democrats who identify as Catholic, including 60 pro-abortion self-professed Catholic members of Congress who wrote a public letter warning the bishops that denying Communion to pro-abortion politicians would “grieve the Holy Spirit.”
Cervantes’ complaint received its own backlash on social media, especially from Catholics who pointed out the senator’s public rejection of Catholic teaching on the grave evil of abortion.
Many of their responses, however, were quite gentle, and marked by a pronounced concern for the well-being of Cervantes himself.
Catholic commentator Kathleen McKinley responded to Cervantes by suggesting he “look within” for a reason why his bishop and his pastor would deny him Communion. “If it’s advocating for abortion, then it is the Priest’s responsibility to make you understand you are not in a state of grace, but under a grave mortal sin, which would be made worse receiving unworthily,” McKinley wrote. “This is your soul. It’s important.”
Twitter user Desiree suggested that Cervantes was denied the Eucharist by a bishop “who loves him enough to fight with him to save his soul.”
“It wasn’t based on your political office,” wrote Catholic author Jennifer Hartline: The issue is sin and scandal and the good of your own soul. Take a few minutes to learn the truth of your Faith. You should be thankful you have a pastor who cares so much about you.
Nicole Stacy of the Susan B. Anthony list simply shared a link to Cervantes’ political record.
Just this year, Cervantes co-sponsored and voted “Yes” on a bill which “Repeals State Laws Criminalizing Abortion,” and, according to local conservative commentator John Block, “legalized abortion up-to-birth and infanticide across the state and stripped all protections for women and children in the womb.”
The above comes from a July 18 story on Catholic Vote.
I admire Las Cruces Bishop Peter Baldacchino, for his action denying Communion to this aggressive Abortion-promoting NM state senator! And I admire the priest at the Carmelite monastery in Las Cruces, NM, who publicly denied Holy Communion to Sen. Cervantes, when he presented himself for Communion at Mass, last Sat. night! The Las Cruces Discalced Carmelite monastery is a “sister” monastery to Cristo Rey Carnelite monastery in SF, and the one in Kensington, in the Diocese of Oakland– the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. And a great many other Carmelite monasteries, too.
Democratic State Senator Joe Cervantes, age 60, has been a staunch Abortion supporter, during his entire political career. The state of NM, a “blue” Democratic-dominated liberal state, is a very strong supporter of Abortion.
Catholicism will never transition into accepting abortion. What hubris from a man whose soul is in mortal danger.
The monastery of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Las Cruces, NM, is called the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. They can be found on the internet– and they are on YouTube, too. They are happy to take prayer requests. They speak English and Spanish. They sell lots of beautiful handmade items– and donations to them are always wonderful!
There are a bunch of different videos on YouTube, of Carnelite nuns of different monasteries. If you go to YouTube, click on the one that is the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Las Cruces, NM. This beautiful, spiritually uplifting video has all-Spanish subtitles, with a beautiful series of photos, and the nuns singing a beautiful hymn, accompanied by organ, with a capella Gregorian Chant verses, also.
Here is the link to watch this beautiful YouTube video of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Las Cruces, NM. It starts out with the nuns singing a beautiful hymn before the Blessed Sacranent. youtu.be/ce5jr_zo3aU
Sorry, the link to the YouTube video of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Las Cruces, NM, is incorrect! Here is the correct link: youtu.be/ce5jr_Z03aU
“…after the last {priest) was run off.”???? What was that about? Prayers for Cervantes, and for the people of New Mexico, my State of birth.
I think I goofed again on giving the YouTube link for the video of the Carmelite monastery. Here it is– hope this one is correct! It starts out with the nuns singing a beautiful hymn before the Blessed Sacrament.
https://youtu.be/ce5jr_Z03aU
Bishop baldacchino attended world youth day in Santiago campostella in 1989 and heard john Paul ii call young people to not be afraid to be holy.. he left a highly successful career and was ordained in 1996. May the crosier of. St John Paul continue to strike wolves working the flock and, after admonitions and speaking with parrhesia, leave any wolves motionless and incapable of harming the lambs any longer.
Please pray for Mr. Cervantes. He has publicly spoken of his obstinate persistence in grave sin and Tweeted about the response of his bishop and pastor. Mr. Cervantes claims he was denied Holy Communion based upon his “political office.” Rather, he was privately denied Holy Communion because of his public promotion of the killing of unborn babies and the violation of their mothers. He chose to make his positions public. The diocese did not politicize this or “weaponize” the Eucharist, the politician did.
Isn’t care for members of the flock part of the responsibility of a shepherd?
The diocese did respond publicly, after Mr. Cervantes made this a public issue. It’s linked below.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248420/diocese-responds-after-state-senator-says-he-was-denied-communion
Starting next Monday, July 26, anyone leaving a comment cannot use Anonymous, Anon, or the same name as another commenter.
N.O. Catholics that ignore The Ten Commandments will ignore that restriction as well.
Finally!
Thank you.
Makes me proud to be a Catholic!
Where he’s going, it’s going to be
hotter than a Hatch chile !
Al B. K. — yes! And how did the USCCB ever choose a filthy, criminal “gay-sex-internet-hookup” addict to serve as their General Secretary? I love Hatch chiles, they are the best!– delicious in Mexican recipes! Hope the “bad Catholics” get a “nasty, fiery taste of Hell”– and also, “Montezuma’s Curse”– and “wake up” and repent of their sins.
St. Teresa of Avila, one of Spain’s greatest daughters and a doctor of the Church, must be praying for Senator Joe Cervantes’ conversion before he loses his eternal soul.
St. Teresa of Avila pray for us all.
And to anyone who has on a Brown Scapular, you would do well to kiss it and thank Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Elijah the Prophet.
Anne TE– I have worn a blessed Brown Scapular, lifelong– yes, we all should kiss our Brown Scapulars, and thank Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and St. Elias (or Elijah)– especially, because this rebuke of the “bad Catholic” abortion-promoting politician occurred on July 17th, the day after the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, which is on July 16th!
Like Father Altman preached, “You can’t be a Catholic and a Democrat.” Of course preaching the truth in today’s Church will get your faculties removed. This happens while James Martin goes around to parishes and gives interviews promoting grave sin and teaching heresy, and he gets a pat on the back from the Vatican. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil (not my words).
I don’t always agree with Fr. Altman’s views on secular subjects, but on religion, he is terrific. I disagree with the actions of his Bishop– I think his Bishop ought to support and appreciate him, as Bishop Strickland did. Remember when Abp. Sheen would sometimes get very passionate and fiery in his pulpit? Christ did that too, in His day, at times. I do not prefer fiery sermons, but deeply respect Christ– and respect and appreciate faithful Catholic clerics. Why does the Church not get rid of terrible priests who support the “LGBT” agenda, like Papal favorite, Fr. James Martin, S.J.?
Fr. Altman has been suspended.
Yes! God bless Fr. Altman! Maybe Bishop Strickland can be of help to him.
Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill, the former USCCB General Secretary, ought to face extremely strong Church penalties and punishments too, for his despicable sex crimes. What will the USCCB do, regarding him — will he face both the Church court and a civil court, for his horrific clergy gay sex pornography, and sexual crimes? When he was given his former position– did any bishops of the USCCB know of his criminal activities– and were there any lies or cover-ups? And did he harm any minors or seminarians? Any child pornography? Maybe we will soon see a Catholic news story about this, on the CalCatholic website.
Yes! God bless Fr. Altman! Maybe Bishop Strickland can be of help to him. Pray for Fr. Altman!
Strangely, my post of July 22nd at 7:24am, got printed twice!
Strangely, my post of July 22nd at 7:24am, got printed twice!