The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of May 13, 2004. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Public Proclamations

At the Easter Vigil large numbers of people were received into "full communion" with Christ’s Church. They publicly proclaimed their acceptance of the faith taught by the Church and thus were invited to share in the celebration of the Eucharist, the great sign of "full communion."

The contrary situation is sadly clear. When someone publicly rejects the Church’s teaching on faith and morals, that person is not in "full communion" with Christ’s Church, and it would be false to take the Eucharist as a sign of communion. This is not an arbitrary punishment but an unhappy recognition of that person’s public position.

Fr. Alban Boultwood, O.S.B.
St. Anselm’s Abbey
Washington, D.C.

Go Back to the Catechism

The issue of whether American bishops and priests should deny Communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians is not as complicated as some make it, if our guide is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. To publicly support the right to abortion is totally and clearly against the Catholic faith; to do so is a mortal sin (CCC 2270-3). To receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is a grave sin of sacrilege (CCC 1457, 2120). Every American politician knows by now the Church’s stand on abortion.

Bishops and priests who knowingly cooperate in this sacrilege — for fear of appearing partisan by denying the Eucharist to the politician — dishearten the faithful and lessen the resolve of those of us weak in faith. Their inaction may even be leading women in crisis to give in to the pressure to abort their children. Charity toward these women and their babies demands bishops to extend tough love toward the politicians who would assist in the spiritual deaths of the women of their flock.

We pray for strong and heroic martyrs to lead us through this crisis of faith.

James Cline
Minneapolis, Minn.

Church Responsibility

In the CNS article "Cardinal Says Education on Abortion More Effective than Sanctions" (ACH 5/13/04), Cardinal Mahony is quoted as saying "I’m slightly mystified why this is all coming up now. We’ve had pro-choice Catholic politicians going to Communion since Roe v. Wade."

What is even more mystifying is why pro-choice (i.e., pro-abortion) Catholic politicians have been allowed to receive Communion since Roe v. Wade.

The Cardinal continues: "The presumption is that if someone presents himself for Communion, that they are doing so with the belief that they are in a state of grace and receiving in good faith the Eucharist." But if that belief is contradicted by a politician’s public statements and legislative votes, doesn’t the Church have a pastoral responsibility to correct that belief, as well as a public responsibility to prohibit such contradictory behavior so as to avoid scandal?

Robert H. Follett
Annandale

Giver of All Good Gifts

The article "Finding Homes for Children around the World (ACH 5/6/04) is of heartfelt interest to me because I, too, adopted a child over 10 years ago. As an adoptive parent, I am especially grateful to God for this gift of life, truly a miracle for the many of us who have had a similar blessing.

For this reason, I was extremely disappointed to read a quoted statement by a prospective adoptive mother, after contacting Catholic Social Services, acknowledging that "Now, it’s up to fate." May I remind parents that fate has nothing to do with the privileged blessing of parenthood — our almighty God and Father is the giver of all gifts, most especially each child to love and cherish for life.

Becky Reeder
Leesburg

Distribution of the Eucharist

Thank you for Dr. Hitchcock’s article on "Politics, Integrity and Hypocrisy" (ACH 5/13/04). It brought up a point that frequently gents overlooked when discussing pro-abortion Catholic politicians. Leaving aside the abortion question itself, if these politicians present themselves for Communion in defiance of the Vatican’s clear directive that they should not, they are either astonishingly ignorant, delusional or frauds. If they don’t know the Vatican’s position, that would be astonishing, given the publicity.

On the other hand, they may think that the prohibition doesn’t apply to them, because they support other social policies that are in accordance with the Catholic faith. This would be a delusion akin to someone who said, "Well, I kept the other nine Commandments, so it doesn’t matter that I broke one." Finally, they may want to trick Catholics into voting for them by pretending to be Catholics in good standing, when they know they’re nothing of the sort. Not only does this last possibility indicate a lack of integrity, it also shows a complete failure to understand the nature of the Church’s authority, which is very unfortunate in someone who is in a position of secular authority him/herself.

So what can we do? Our bishop can officially (publicly) call on them to repent — and if they do not repent ask them not to present themselves for Communion in the diocese. This at least eliminates the possibility of ignorance. He can also explain to them the spiritual consequences of presenting themselves for the sacrament while not in a state of grace. However, refusing the Eucharist to them is asking the priests in this diocese to be thinking about politics while distributing the body and blood of Christ.

But what each of us can do to improve the situation is to pray. Pray for the light of grace to shine upon the hearts of the pro-abortion Catholic candidates, so that they mend their ways and come back into full union with the Church. Pray that if they won’t do that, then they will publicly admit that they are no longer Catholics. We can also pray that any people who have been thrown into doubt or confusion by their behavior will be reassured and directed on the right path. Prayer should always be a first resort in times of trouble.

Jenni Sheehey
McLean

Contradictory Stories

What a wonderful article by Father Saunders (ACH 5/13/04) on pro-abortion politicians receiving communion. His argument was logical and supported by references to scripture, the Catechism, historical Church figures, and statements of the Holy Father. He even tied in statements by the U.S. Bishops. As I dispense this praise, however, I must say Father Saunders is probably benefiting from the low expectations I have after reading about Cardinal McCarrick’s task force over the past few weeks. Seconds before getting to Father Saunders’ article, my expectations were further lowered by reading what Cindy Wooden attributes to Cardinal Mahony on page 3 of the same edition. Cardinal Mahony’s words suggest that if the U.S. Bishops ever agree to a statement on this issue, it will be quite the opposite of what Father Saunders teaches. Then again, the bishops may find a way to say nothing. After all, it’s now 20 years since Geraldine Ferraro proclaimed the Church did not have a monolithic position on the matter of abortion. Witness the widely divergent contentions of Cardinal Mahony and Father Saunders, a clear statement by the Church on such politicians seems long overdue. Yet Cardinal Mahony feels perfectly comfortable professing to be "slightly mystified" that this is still an issue.

Robert Wenzel
Dumfries

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