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Chicago Cardinal's Remarks on Communion For Pro-Abort Politicians Disappoint Pro-Life Catholics

Speaking at a crowded pro-life conference sponsored by the Archdiocese, Cardinal George said on the issue of pro-abortion politicians receiving Communion, “Maybe you should talk to Pope Benedict XVI, who gives communion to the pro-choice Prime Minister of Italy. You have to look at a lot of things. It's not all that simple.” The diocesan newspaper, Catholic New World, quotes the Cardinal saying, “You may win your battle but you'll lose the war when it appears to be just another sectarian movement that punishes anyone who doesn't agree with them.” Cardinal George also criticized advocates for life when they “berate” politicians for claiming to uphold social justice while supporting abortion. On this issue, he said, they are “saying this is conservative and this is liberal, and never the twain shall meet. Well, that may be where we are now, but that's not where we should be.”

I've loosened up a bit on the issue of pro-abortion Catholic politicians receiving the Eucharist.. I still think they should be actively barred from it, but I am much less rigid about it than I used to be. Pope Bendict's recent document SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS did mention certain non-negotiable values: "respect for human life, its defence from conception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and a woman, the freedom to educate one's children and the promotion of the common good in all its forms." (#83) The concept of "eucharistic consistency" demands that Catholic politicans keep in line with Church teaching on these issues if they receive the Eucharist. As the document says "Catholic politicians and legislators, conscious of their grave responsibility before society, must feel particularly bound, on the basis of a properly formed conscience, to introduce and support laws inspired by values grounded in human nature."

But the question remains, if pro-abortion Catholic politicnas should not present themselves to receive Communion, why should it be given to them if we do? As Paul writes "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. " (1 Corinthians 11:27) We tell people to cease all sorts of actions that are harmful to their souls, and try to prevent them from doing so. Why do we draw the line here and allow them to damage themselves in such a manner? Plus, I've seen Cardinal Arize say many times, "If it should not be received, it should not be given."

I can understand allowing some pro-abortion politicians to receive for pastoral reasons. Rather than cutting them off immediately, which risks cutting them off completely from the Church, this can be a way to being them back to the fold. But at a certain point, don't we have to take a new approach when this one isn't producing results? Joe Biden has been in the Senate since before Roe v. Wade was issued and, if anything, is becoming more ardently pro-abortion. Bishop Saltarelli asked pro-abortion politicians to refrain from receiving Communion in 2004, but Biden continues to receive. (I was behind him in line two Sundays ago.) At what point does this become defiance of the Bishop's requests?

The fact that Cardinal George comes down on the side of not barring pro-abortion Catholic politicians gives me pause to believe that it's not the correct policy. As he pointed out, it does run the risk of creating an "us vs. them" situation in the Church and making pro-lifers seem intolerant. At the same time, though, it's not excommunication. They would stil be entitled to attend Mass and Catholic functions and could being reception of Communion again by changing their voting patterns and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so it's not a difficult chore we ask of them.

I'm still on the side of barring them from Communion after a period of engagement has been attempted, but a certain point a line has to be drawn. It will be hard to restore a culture of life to America while we fail to make a clear demarcation that abortion is wrong. If we try to achieve a hazy middle ground, too many people will not recognize the seriousness of their actions and continue in their error.