+Gregory's Silence on Biden's Abortion Actions

 

As you may or may not know, the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington Wilton Gregory came out a few weeks ago and stated that he wants to dialog with Biden.  Here is part of the interview with Religious News Service.

 

The incoming president will be the second Catholic president in American history. What kind of relationship do you hope to forge with him? Also, you’ve received pushback from some in the church for saying you won’t deny Joe Biden Communion because of his stance on abortion. What do you say to your critics?

I want to begin a relationship with him that allows us to have a serious conversation, knowing full well that there are issues that he and I will be diametrically opposed to, but hopefully also being able to capitalize on issues that we can advance together.

I don’t want to go to the table with a gun on the table first.

 

However, there were two major actions taken by Biden, since his inauguration:

1. His statement on his recommitting to “codifying Roe v. Wade” on the 48th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationwide as pro-life advocates vowed to fight the administration’s pro-choice agenda.

2. Cancellation of US backing of the Mexico City Policy.  

On both of these, +Gregory has been silent.  

One one level, I would say that this is shameful. 

However, I am wondering if he actually believes that abortion is murder and supports the Catholic position.  

What do you think?

 

Rev. Marcel Guarnizo Update

According to MSNBC:

Fr. Marcel Guarnizo is a priest of the Archdiocese of Moscow, Russia, who was given a temporary assignment at St. John Neumann parish,” Chieko Noguchi Scheve, director of media and public relations at the Archdiocese of Washington, wrote in an email to msnbc.com. “That assignment period has ended and Father Guarnizo is no longer in ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington.”

To read the full story, click here.

The Importance of Communion from the Archdiocese of Washington

This is one of the points I have been making since the start of this event....

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From today's Washington's comPost:

As Catholics present themselves for Holy Communion, the priest or delegated minister says, “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ.” The communicant responds, “Amen.” This brief interaction expresses a much deeper reality of the belief in what the Church teaches about the Eucharist, the proper disposition of the one receiving Communion and the pastoral charity of the priest.

As Catholic Christians, we believe that the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ. It is not just a symbol, a wafer or a cup of wine. Jesus is truly present - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Because of this we believe that to receive Communion, a person should be in the state of grace, which means that they are not conscious of having committed a sin serious enough that it ruptures their relationship with God. As with any relationship, it is not just a one-sided judgment that determines what hurts the relationship with God. This determination is based on what the Church teaches objectively from sacred Scripture and tradition of Christian experience. If a person is conscious of having committed a grave sin, he or she may not receive Communion until they have received absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A person who is conscious of grave sin but has no opportunity to go to Confession may receive Communion for a serious reason, but first that person must pray to Christ expressing their sorrow, also known as a perfect act of contrition, and have the intention of going to Confession as soon as possible.

The priest has an obligation to make sure that the sacraments are respected, and any person who obstinately perseveres in manifest grave sin is not to be admitted to Holy Communion. Ideally, the priest will handle such a situation pastorally by discussing the consequences of such sin with the person privately before actually denying them Communion.

The Archdiocese of Washington recognizes that the prime obligation to determine one’s preparedness to receive Communion falls to the persons who are presenting themselves for Communion. In extreme cases where someone has been formally excommunicated or is trying to use the Eucharist to make a political statement it is appropriate to consider denying Communion. The reception of the Eucharist is a blessing and a grace. We should receive Jesus with the intention of becoming more like him. No one is entitled to the Eucharist. It is a free gift and should be received with humility and reverence.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/barbara-johnson-and-the-importance-of-communion-a-statement-from-the-washington-archdiocese/2012/03/01/gIQAWeiikR_story.html?hpid=z5

National Shrine Scandal

On Friday, Deacon Greg Kendra at The Deacon's Bench posted the above photo. This photo, taken at the memorial Mass for Archbishop Sambi on Sept. 14, 2011 by CNS/Leslie E. Kossoff, shows Vice President Joseph Biden receiving Holy Communion from Msgr. Rossi at the National Shrine.

Over at the Deacon's Bench there was a great deal of discussion by a couple of priests and deacons who said in no uncertain terms would they deny Holy Communion to this man, because they do not know the state of his soul.

I am sorry...this is not some many who just walked into the Shrine to receive Holy Communion. This is the second most powerful man in the US and someone who supports abortion and homosexual marraige. Let's admit it folks, this adminstration has done almost everything it can to promote abortion and have the taxpayers pay for it.

Yet, no one seems to be willing to tell him, before Mass, not to receive Communion in the state he is in.

Does any priest in this Archdiocese have any integrity or the intestinal fortitude to do something?

I wrote over at the Deacon's Bench that during the pedophile/homosexual crisis, when horrible things were done to young men, I did not waiver in my support for our priests, brothers and deacons. Why? Because I knew many of them personally and they were good men. They worked hard and tried to do their best, even if one or two of their brothers in Christ did horrible things.

However, I continue to see priests and deacons who say that they will not say or do anything when someone as public as Joe Biden comes forward to receive Communion.

If there is anything that has shaken my faith in our priests and deacons, is this: That they are not willing to say to a pro-abortion politician (who is very well known in their support of this) that they cannot recieve communion if they continue on their current course.

Msgr. Rossi, the Cardinal and any priest in attendance that day should be ashamed of themselves.

Just another scandal which has shaken my faith.

Another Scandal: Biden Receives Communion at Red Mass

The Washington Post reported that the annual Red Mass took place on Sunday. This is a traditional Mass held before the Supreme Court goes into session and prays for all those sitting on the bench. This Mass actually takes place around the country and prays for lawmakers and those who serve on the courts locally. Not a bad thing. In fact, a good thing.

However, we seem to have a scandal.

It seems that Vice President Joe Biden, the highest ranking elected Catholyc in the nation, did receive Holy Communion. Altough the Washington Post does not mention it (and I doubt that the Catholic Standard will in this week's edition -- but let's wait and see), we have an eye witness account of the VP receiving Communion:

The actual service was incredibly special. It started off with a large procession of dozens of bishops and priests, accompanied by incense and the powerful organ and brilliant choir of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Members of the Knights of Columbus proceeded to the front of the church with the American flag, and the choir led the national anthem. It was fascinating to see the flag raised in the very classical-styled Cathedral; it was an interesting moment of church meeting state. I also enjoyed seeing Vice President Biden and Chief Justice Roberts walk up at the same time to receive communion.

For more on the event, go here.

Archbishop Wuerl and HHS Secretary Sebelius

The Archbishop of Kansas City has publicly asked former KS Gov. Sebelius not to receive communion. This will present a bit of a bind for Archbishop Wuerl of Washington DC.

Since Sebelius will probably reside in DC or Maryland (there is the possibility she may live in VA), will Archbishop Wuerl also ask HHS Secretary Sebelius not to receive Holy Communion, and join in support of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann?

Personally, I do not believe that Archbishop Wuerl will do anything. But what do you think? Take the poll on the right.

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Correction!

On Feb. 23rd, I posted an article and incorrectly referred to Project Gabriel instead of Project Rachael. I have corrected it but also left a note updating the posting and indicating my error. Apologies to all and thank you to the reader for correcting my error.