Catholic politicians who unambiguously support a woman’s right to choose should not receive communion, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said Wednesday. But he declined to say he would deny communion to politicians who do not follow church teaching on abortion.
Asked directly about what he would do if Sen. John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic candidate for president who is a Catholic and supports abortion rights, came to him for communion, the leader of the Diocese of Phoenix said, “I would hope that would not happen.”
“If he asked about it,” he said, “I would tell him he should not receive communion
Cardinal George says lay ministers should be on board
Catholic lay ministers who disagree with the church’s teachings should not be allowed to continue in their ministries or assist in distributing communion, according to a letter sent by Cardinal Francis George to pastors in the Chicago Archdiocese earlier this month.
Well, duh, but…
Several pastors declined comment. One Northwest Side lay minister said she doesn’t always agree with church teachings but it doesn’t affect her ability to minister.
“Bringing communion to the sick, caring for the homeless has nothing to do with your opinion on other church matters,” said the minister, who asked that her name not be used. “I feel that everybody has a right to their own beliefs. The church isn’t always 100 percent right. They have a long way to go.” On the other hand, she didn’t believe it appropriate for lay ministers to voice disagreements while on the job.
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