Catholic lawmakers in Colorado who voted for an extreme abortion bill that stripped all rights from the unborn child should refrain from receiving Holy Communion, the state’s four Catholic bishops have said in a letter.
Voting for the Reproductive Health and Equity Act (RHEA) was “participating in a gravely sinful action because it facilitates the killing of innocent unborn babies,” said a letter to lawmakers from the state’s Catholic bishops.
Catholic politicians who have voted for the legislation “have very likely placed themselves outside of the communion of the Church,” said the letter, signed by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver, Bishop Stephen J. Berg of Pueblo, Bishop James Golka of Colorado Springs, and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge H. Rodriguez.
The law explicitly excludes any rights to unborn children, saying “(a) fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent or derivative rights under the laws of the state,” and allows abortion up until birth for any reason.
The bishops’ letter said they tried to speak with lawmakers who voted for the abortion bill to ensure that they understand Catholic teaching. Few lawmakers accepted an invitation to meet.
“We pray that this letter and our request to refrain from receiving Jesus in the Eucharist spurs sincere reflection and conversion in the hearts of those who have participated in allowing this grave act of injustice to become law,” said the bishops.
Full story at Catholic World Report.
This is good news. One has to be in a state of grace to receive the Eucharist; in other words, one must not be aware of having committed a serious sin. On this point, Archbishop Cordileone and all the Colorado bishops performed due moral diligence by informing those politicians that their support for abortion legislation was in violation of the moral law of our Church. Having thus been informed, any one of those politicians who then chose to present themselves to receive the Eucharist would then be committing a grave moral sin.
CCD – just curious; how come you guys never did a story on the recent death of Bishop Robert Brom?
Jeremias 44:4-5
And I sent to you all my servants, the prophets, rising early, and sending, and saying: Do not commit this abominable thing, which I hate. But they heard not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their evil ways, and not to sacrifice to strange gods.
What a great step these bishops have taken. The souls of these lawmakers is at stake, and the bishops are putting that consideration, along with the lives of the unborn children, as a first priority. May those cowardly bishops in our sad state of California who engage in subterfuge, as especially seen in B. McElroy, have their eyes and heart open to their duty, and follow suit. Indeed, let us pray that all the bishops of this country, regardless of interference from any source, follow these brave men.
WOW!
I appreciate the bishops’ actions, and do not want to rain on their parade, but they are telling these politicians to obey Canon 916, while they are not enforcing Canon 915, which is their duty.
They are also not shutting down TLMs, which is their duty.
Abortion supporters aren’t used to people telling them the truth. They really don’t like it.
Thanks be to God. May hearts and minds be changed.
And, may more bishops follow the lead of their courageous and charitable brothers.
Even if it means, “no red hat for you.”
… and your subtle point well taken.
What a sad commentary on this pontificate: “Even if it means, “no red hat for you.”” Are any of Francis’ red hat appointees in America unabashedly pro-life, in the sense of strongly anti-abortion?
Good question. In the US, I can’t think of one. The strongly anti-abortion archbishops were the ones passed over.
O.K. — but what if the bad Catholic politicians ignore their bishops, like Nancy Pelosi? Better to tell them they must not present themselves for Holy Communion– and instruct all clergy and lay Eucharistic Ministers, that these people must not be given Communion– like Abp. Cordileone did, with Nancy Pelosi.
I think the USCCB really needs to do somethjng strong, because Catholic Pres. Biden is being encouraged to issue an executive order to enable women to have access to abortion all through the country, regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision, on the Dobbs case. And Democrats in Congress keep bringing up the same kind of thing– but get nowhere, thus far. Something strong needs to be done, regarding Biden’s so-called Catholic identity, as well as all bad Catholic politicians supporting murder of unborn children.
That’s stupid. Biden can’t issue an executive order overturning a Supreme Court ruling nor state laws.