Vatican wants to meet with U.S. task force on Catholic politicians

Published: 2004-06-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican's doctrinal congregation wants to meet soon with a U.S. bishops' task force to help clarify controversial questions over church teachings and Catholic politicians, sources in Rome said. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, suggested the encounter after speaking at length with a group of U.S. bishops at the Vatican June 2, said Bishop Donald E. Pelotte of Gallup, N.M. During their meeting, Cardinal Ratzinger said church leaders should be cautious about refusing Communion to Catholic politicians who oppose church teachings on abortion and other pro-life issues, Bishop Pelotte told Catholic News Service. A Vatican source confirmed that Cardinal Ratzinger had emphasized caution when discussing the possibility of denying Communion. The source said that in light of recent statements by various U.S. bishops the Vatican felt that "a concerted and nuanced approach is needed" on the question of Communion and dissenting politicians. Bishop Pelotte, one of 15 Western U.S. bishops making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican, said he had raised the question during the group's meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger because he felt the bishops needed clarification.

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