Congress lecturing the bishops on the faith?

 


We live in interesting times.

In response to the decision by the U.S. Bishops at a recent virtual meeting to discuss questions including the reception of Communion by those who promote grave evils such as abortion, some 60 baptized Catholic U.S. Congressmen and -women (all of whom publicly support abortion) have written an open letter demanding that they be able to receive Holy Communion despite (and even in some cases, astonishingly, because of) their positions which contradict those of the Church.  

One of these Congressmen even dared his bishop not to allow him to receive Communion.  That in itself shows that he has no understanding of the  Eucharist as a gift, or the authority of the Church, but that's a post for another day.

In the First Things magazine, a national magazine devoted to discussing issues of religion and culture, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has written an open letter response.    It is quite long, but well worth readings, since it helps to clear up some of the following currently controversial questions?

  • Can a Catholic just  "follow his conscience" on life issues if he opposes Church teaching?
  • Can a Catholic claim to be working for human rights if the right to life is ignored?
  • Is it a political act or "weaponizing" the Eucharist to prevent those who advance grave moral evils from receiving Communion?
  •  and much more


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