Letter to the Editor from Gainesville, GA

Published: May 27, 2004

To the Editor:

Our bishops seem not to leave well enough alone. As the abuse scandal passes into twilight from the headlines, it seems that our bishops have continued to make a stir. The presumptive Democratic nominee for president and the current governor of New Jersey have been threatened with the denial of Communion based on their stand on abortion.

Abortion is not a black and white issue. Abortion is terrible and must end, but if the government were to act too aggressively there will be even greater problems. There are fundamental rights to privacy to include access to medical records, the role of the courts in medical procedures, etc., at issue. Enforcement would be nearly impossible . . .

Personally I feel that if the government has to pass a law to stop abortion then there has been a huge breakdown in our culture’s moral fabric. The family, the church and society have failed and if those fundamental elements are not stopping abortion then there is little our government can do without just as damaging effects. Therefore, more responsibility lies with the church rather than the government.

I also must add that the church has been rather slow to criticize politicians who support the death penalty or those who support the invasion of Iraq. Both issues received condemnation by the church. When it comes to politics, we need to look toward the position taken by the late Cardinal Bernardin during the 1984 election. He said, “Our moral, political and economic responsibilities do not stop at the moment of birth. Those who defend the right to life of the weakest among us must be equally visible in support of the quality of life of the powerless among us: the old and the young, the hungry and the homeless, the undocumented immigrant and the unemployed worker. ... Consistency means we can’t have it both ways.”

But what bothers me the most, though, is not the politics of this situation but the religious aspects. It is the idea of denying Communion. First, you are saying that the denier knows what the person is truly feeling and what goes on in their heart. Does the bishop or priest truly know why a person may have taken a pro-choice stand? Second, why is this one issue being singled out for denial when all of us are sinners and no one is truly worthy of Christ? The only reason I can think of is to make an example out of someone. Is that the role of the church? Third, I believe in transubstantiation, that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ. So to deny someone the Eucharist is to deny them Christ. Now, Christ never denied himself to anyone, and he knew what was in their hearts . . .

The church has a responsibility to take positions on issues; faith must never exist in a vacuum but rather be a vibrant part of the family and the community. We, Catholic citizens and officeholders, have a responsibility to integrate these teachings into our daily lives as our conscience tells us is appropriate and vote accordingly. However, no one has the responsibility to play God and deny another’s faith.

Joseph Ingemi, Gainesville