Military prelate says dissenting politicians shouldn't take Communion

Published: 2004-10-28

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CNS) -- Catholic politicians who "choose to disregard (the) tenets of their professed faith and, in fact, actively promote opposite ones" should refrain from receiving Communion, the head of the U.S. military archdiocese said at a Mass for judges, law enforcement officers and attorneys in southern New York state. Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services delivered the homily Oct. 26 at the annual Red Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in White Plains. Speaking a week before the Nov. 2 election, Archbishop O'Brien said "a campaign-weary nation" had experienced "sharp, daily divisions" in the months leading up to selection of a president, vice president, most members of Congress and local officials.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .