Cardinal seeks meeting with Giuliani about Communion at papal Mass

Published: 2008-04-28

NEW YORK (CNS) -- New York Cardinal Edward M. Egan will request a meeting with Rudolph Giuliani, saying in a statement he deeply regretted that the former New York mayor received Communion during a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at St. Patrick's Cathedral April 19. A statement issued by Cardinal Egan April 28 said that when he first came to the archdiocese and Giuliani was mayor the two of them "had an understanding ... that he was not to receive the Eucharist because of his well-known support of abortion." Giuliani has long opposed efforts to limit access to abortion and supported state funding of abortions for poor women in New York. He was widely described as a pro-choice candidate during his run for president that ended earlier this year. Cardinal Egan's statement said he would be "seeking a meeting with him to insist that he abide by our understanding." Giuliani was among guests invited to attend the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral celebrated by Pope Benedict. The Mass was described as being for clergy, deacons and religious, although there were other invited guests including Giuliani and current Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is Jewish. Giuliani told reporters as he left the Mass that he had received Communion.

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