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Bishop Burbidge: Arlington diocese will respect decision to withhold Communion from Speaker Pelosi

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (left) talks with Billy Atwell, chief communications officer for the Arlington diocese, on “The Walk Humbly Podcast” in this undated photo. SCREENGRAB

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San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone’s instruction to his local priests to withhold Holy Communion from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., because of her longstanding and public pro-abortion advocacy, was carefully considered and will be respected in the Arlington diocese, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said May 25.

Speaking on “The Walk Humbly Podcast,” Bishop Burbidge said that he knows the California prelate “very well” as someone who loves the Lord, the church and his people. The archbishop’s May 20 announcement documented that “he did what he could” to counsel the speaker privately, Bishop Burbidge said, but concluded that she had no desire to align with church teaching on the sanctity of life. “I trust that he did everything possible,” he said.

Asked on the podcast by Chief Communications Officer Billy Atwell whether he would respect Archbishop Cordileone’s decision should Speaker Pelosi present herself for Mass in the Arlington diocese, Bishop Burbidge responded, “In short, yes, I would.”

“He is her bishop and as that bishop the direction and guidance he provides is not limited to just a geographical area,” the Bishop said.

These matters and decisions “are not political for bishops. They’re moral and they’re spiritual. They’re the result of prayer and discernment,” Bishop Burbidge said. “I can’t say it enough, (these) decisions are made for the good of individuals to guard the faithful from scandal.”

That scandal manifests when Catholics in visible public offices take positions that are contrary to church teachings while connecting it to their faith. “That confuses people and a bishop has to guard against that,” he said.

He reflected on his own previous ministry in private to individuals in public office who lived in his diocese, identified as Catholic and advocated for abortion. Some of those entreaties were ignored and others were received but ultimately spurned, while some proved fruitful.

“We can never tire of offering to dialogue,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Certainly in this diocese and, I think, in dioceses throughout the country that goes on constantly behind the scenes.”

“I have not publicly announced that someone is not to receive Communion in my diocese, but I have privately shared that directive with individuals who have continuously scandalized the church by holding a personal Catholic identity while also publicly advocating for abortion or other inherent moral evils.”

“All people, including those who are not public individuals, have to approach the sacraments truly in communion with the church and Our Lord,” Bishop Burbidge said.

At the same time, he said, the path to reunion with the Catholic faith and the reception of the Eucharist always remains open for “any of us who wander away from the Lord and what he teaches.”

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