Catholic Church must deny communion to president

A spokeswoman for Bishop Edward Scharfenberger stated in the June 20 Times Union, the bishop “doesn’t support a blanket rule denying Communion to politicians who support abortion. It’s too important and sacred to us to turn into a political football.” He’ll discuss the matter with them “privately.”

Bishop Scharfenberger has a moral obligation to take a public stand and call out Catholics who are receiving Holy Communion while supporting abortion, same-sex marriage and euthanasia. The bishop is bound by Canon 915 to protect the integrity of the Eucharist, must give public notification to his priests and not allow sacrilegious Communions that cause scandal to the people.

According to Archbishop Raymond Burke, “When a ‘pro death’ Catholic politician disregards a bishop’s directive and comes to Holy Communion and the bishop or priest does not deny them as Canon 915 directs them to do, the bishop or priest is doing evil.”

The bishop’s spokeswoman tells us to be patient, resist forming an opinion, don’t sow seeds of division. Really? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1385) teaches that when receiving the Holy Eucharist we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment that, “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of our Lord.”

Bishop Scharfenberger, stand up to those profaning our Lord and lead your flock!

Brigid Rufo

Rensselaer