Here is a chance to help some orphans not get kicked out of their home,

Some thoughts on Nancy Pelosi and Communion,

The question of whether or not the police were cowards in the Uvalde shooting

and learn about the priesthood in the new Word on Fire video ‘The Making of a Priest’.

All in this 15th edition of Writing Right Now.

Preventing Housing Eviction For 14 Orphans

Fundraiser by Mariam Sarkessian : Preventing Housing Eviction For 14 Orphans (gofundme.com)

This instruction is in accordance with canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law, which stipulates, “Those … obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”  In the pastoral letter I issued a year ago, Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You, I laid out the Church’s teaching on cooperation in evil, especially that of abortion, and the proper disposition for receiving Holy Communion, precisely to help our people better understand these principles and what is at stake here.

Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi’s position on abortion has become only more extreme over the years, especially in the last few months. After numerous attempts to speak with her to help her understand the grave evil she is perpetrating, the scandal she is causing, and the danger to her own soul she is risking, I have determined that the point has come in which I must make a public declaration that she is not to be admitted to Holy Communion unless and until she publicly repudiate her support for abortion “rights” and confess and receive absolution for her cooperation in this evil in the sacrament of Penance.  I have accordingly sent her a Notification to this effect, which I have now made public.

 Please know that I find no pleasure whatsoever in fulfilling my pastoral duty here.  Speaker Pelosi remains our sister in Christ.  Her advocacy for the care of the poor and vulnerable elicits my admiration.  I assure you that my action here is purely pastoral, not political.  I have been very clear in my words and actions about this.  Speaker Pelosi has been uppermost in my prayer intentions ever since I became the Archbishop of San Francisco. Letter to the faithful on the Notification sent to Speaker Nancy Pelosi – Archdiocese of San Francisco (sfarchdiocese.org)

The debates around the reception of Communion have been reignited by the recent news that Archbishop Cordileone has barred House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving Communion. Some Catholics see Archbishop Cordileone’s action as being justified, since Speaker Pelosi’s position on abortion is at clear odds with Catholic teaching. Others, while agreeing in principle, have expressed doubts about the prudence and utility of such an action under the current circumstances.

Regardless of prudential opinions on this particular case, however, we can’t allow ourselves to slip into an individualistic view of the Eucharist that would downplay its communal meaning. In a press conference in 2021, Pope Francis emphasized that bishops should be pastoral in their handling of such situations; but he also said “Communion is a gift, a present, it is the presence of Jesus in the Church and in the community. Then, those who are not in the community cannot take Communion.

Unity of mind is sadly lacking in the Church today, but a lack of “looking out for the interests of others” is perhaps even more dangerous. It is tragic that we Catholics, with our sacramental theology, are doing worse in this regard than various Protestant groups. At least in the USA, many Protestant churches are much more community-oriented than the typical Catholic parish. It almost seems as if we feel that since we have the Eucharist, we don’t have to worry about the community that the Eucharist is supposed to create! The Problem of Eucharistic Individualism – Where Peter Is

Cowardly Police in Uvalde?

WRN # 14: 21 + Thoughts about the Uvalde, Texas Shooting  | Kristin Wilson (patheos.com)

The Making of a Priest

From his Arkansas upbringing, to his military experience, through his vocational ascent, Fr. Stephen Gadberry shares his trials, tragedy, and ultimate joy, answering Christ’s call to engage the culture and spread the Gospel message. Join Fr. Gadberry inside the Word on Fire Institute for his 6-part course “The People You Will Meet” https://wordonfire.institute/courses/…. This film was made possible by the generous support of Word on Fire donors. Support more films like this at https://www.wordonfire.org/giving