Prominent Catholic Pols & Communion

[Archbishop Naumann weighs in and reminds Gov. Sebelius of her responsibilities as a Catholic pol. Novak’s column here.]

[Another addition – Archbishop Wuerl’s response.]

[In addition to the sources below, Sandor Magister, an Italian journalist published this piece which includes the famous letter of Cardinal Ratzinger to the US Bishops.]

Yet, again, the question arises concerning prominent Catholic politicians who are publicly at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church and who approach to receive Holy Communion.

Bob Novak wrote a hard-hitting piece criticizing the Archbishops of Washington (DC) and New York for inviting pro-abortion politicians to the Papal Masses because they subsequently received Holy Communion. Here’s his original piece.

In his column today, he published a retraction (at the bottom of the column). He erred in saying that Archbishop Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio, was the priest who gave them Communion.

Responding to Novak’s first column, Cardinal Egan of New York issued a statement saying that Giuliani violated the understanding between the two of them that he would not go to Communion due to “his well known support of abortion.”

This issue won’t be resolved quickly, but it’s good to see clarity developing. For a news story on the events, click here .