More bishops weigh in on politicians and Communion

Published: 2004-05-12

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Catholic bishops in Colorado Springs, Colo., Omaha, Neb., Orlando, Fla., and Washington were the latest prelates to issue statements about whether certain politicians should be barred from receiving Communion. Common to all of the statements were instructions about the church's teaching on the sanctity of life and how it applies to Catholic politicians whose public actions are in conflict with church teaching. Several talked about church guidance in making political decisions. Beyond that, they offered a wide range of conclusions about how those teachings should be applied. One prelate said he does not think the Eucharist should be used as a public sanction, while another said even those who vote for politicians who support legal abortion or same-sex marriage may not receive the Eucharist until they go to confession. The archbishops of Omaha and Washington tackled the topic in columns in their archdiocesan newspapers. The coadjutor of Orlando wrote an op-ed piece for the Orlando Sentinel daily newspaper. Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs issued a pastoral letter to the people of his diocese.

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