In recent months, several Roman Catholic bishops have said they'd deny Communion to pro-choice politicians. As presidential candidate (and lifelong Catholic) John Kerry makes his way across the nation campaigning, we're keeping tabs on where and when he receives the Sacrament, to the best of our knowledge.

Monday November 1, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Orlando, FL
Source: St. Petersburg Times
Received Communion? Yes
More details: Kerry attended Mass to celebrate All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics. American Catholics are required to attend Mass on 4-8 holy days a year, though this requirement is often dropped when the holy day falls on a Saturday or Monday.

Sunday October 31, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: Church of the Holy Angels in Dayton, Ohio
Sources: Associated Press, Knight Ridder
Received Communion? Yes
More details: When the Dayton priest welcomed Kerry, the church "erupted in applause.... But after Kerry passed in the aisle on the way to his seat, a woman grabbed her husband and stalked out of the church. 'I won't spend a moment with that man,' she muttered."

On the same Sunday, Kerry also attended a service at Shiloh Baptist Church, a predominantly black congregation in Ohio.

Also the same day, President Bush, a Methodist, attended Mass at the Church of the Epiphany, a Roman Catholic church in Miami, FL. According to the Associated Press, the pastor, Monsignor Jude O'Doherty, "all but endorsed Bush. 'Mr. President, I want you to know that I admire your faith and your courage to profess it,' the priest said in a long tribute to Bush. 'Your belief in prayer and dependence on God has to be an example for all of us.'"

Also in Florida, the Rev. Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life and a leading Catholic abortion opponent, "told a packed St. James Cathedral in Orlando to 'carry out your Christian responsibility in this election.'" Saturday October 23, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes; a vigil (Saturday evening) Mass
Where: St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Anthony, NM
Sources: USA Today, Washington Times
Received Communion? Yes
More details: At a service "in Spanish with guitar accompaniment," Kerry "may have violated the fasting period" which requires Catholics to abstain from eating for an hour before they receive Communion. The Washington Times notes that "reporters traveling with Mr. Kerry said he appeared to be munching chips and salsa and drinking iced tea throughout his stop at the Red Rooster Cafe, which he left five minutes before the beginning of the 6 p.m. Mass. He took Communion 50 minutes later, at about 6:45 p.m."

Sunday October 17: Kerry attended services at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Sunday October 10, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: St. James Catholic Church in North Miami, FL
Source: Palm Beach Post
Received Communion? Yes
More details: At Mass, "the Rev. Jean Pierre strayed from religion to politics, echoing some of Kerry's stump speech about the 'American Dream.'"

September 2004: No information available

Sunday August 29, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: St. Mary's Our Lady of the Isle church in Nantucket, Mass.
Source: Associated Press
Received Communion? Not specified


Sunday August 22, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: St. Therese of Lisieux church in Montauk, NY
Source: Boston Globe
Received Communion? Not specified


Sunday August 15, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: Our Lady of the Snows church in Sun Valley, Idaho
Source: The Times-News of Idaho
Received Communion? Yes
More details: Kerry "dressed in a crisp navy blue blazer" (earlier in 2004, he was criticized for wearing ski clothes when he attended Mass at the same church); the church choir "burst into an unscheduled hymn, 'Let There Be Peace on Earth,' moments before Kerry received Communion."

Sunday August 8, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: San Felipe de Neri church in Albuquerque, NM with wife Teresa Heinz Kerry and daughter Vanessa
Source: Boston Herald
Received Communion? Yes, from the pastor, Monsignor Leo Lucero
More details: Outside the church, a crowd gathered; one critic held up a sign reading, 'You can't B Catholic and pro-choice'; most in the crowd were "friendly and cheering."

Sunday July 18, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where: Spanish Mass at St. Mary's Roman Catholic church in Nantucket, MA with wife Teresa Heinz Kerry
Source: Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror
Received Communion? Not specified

Sunday July 4, 2004
Attended Mass? Yes
Where? Church of the Resurrection in Dubuque, Iowa
Received Communion? Yes
Source: Fairmont Sentinel
More details: Kerry "sat in the fourth pew, donated a crisp $20 bill to the church during collection"