Task force on politics: Battle in public square, not at Communion

Published: 2004-06-23

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington told the U.S. bishops in June that their task force on politics believes "the battles for human life and dignity and for the weak and vulnerable should be fought not at the Communion rail, but in the public square." In the controversy over denying Communion to politicians who support abortion on demand, he said, "our (bishops') conference is divided, with several bishops sincerely convinced this is necessary and many others who do not support such actions." "Our consultations with moral theologians and canonists warned us that such steps could raise serious questions about Catholic teaching and the application of canon law," he said in a presentation delivered at a closed bishops' meeting June 15 and made public June 23. "State Catholic conference directors warned about a negative impact on faithful legislators, the Catholic community and the role of the church in public life," he added. "As many of you know, Vatican officials offered ... principles and advised caution and pastoral prudence in the use of sanctions," he said. The texts of presentations to the bishops by three task force members were made public in Washington eight days after they were delivered at the bishops' gathering in the Denver suburb of Englewood, Colo.

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