Catholic Politicians and Communion

Abortion has always been an emotional and controversial issue, and became even more so with the Supreme Court action to strike down the “Roe v Wade standard” in 2022. There has been an ongoing debate within the Catholic community as to whether politicians who support abortion and abortion rights should be denied the Eucharist, but as Catholics is this the right thing to do? Is this simply an emotional response or a truly Catholic response? The Bible and the Catholic Church have been clear on the position of abortion as seen in the verses at the end of this post, but is denying the Eucharist the answer? I say no. In my view, this will not help those who believe in abortion to change their position. The only way to help people value the life of the unborn is to give them the “medicine” they need to become more like Christ – the Eucharist.

Here’s the Rub:

The immediate and knee jerk reaction to the problem is to punish these politicians by denying them the Eucharist. One could argue that most politicians who “support” abortion do so for the votes. There is likely some real truth to that. Many politicians take the cowardly way out when they say – “I personally don’t support abortion, but I respect the woman’s right to choose.” If you are Catholic, there is no “right to choose”. God creates life in His image and only God can take it away. The Bible is clear on the value of life, and the Catholic Church has taught the “Sanctity of Human Life” as a core value since the beginning. This is not a debatable point in my view. If you are a Catholic, you are pro-life or you aren’t a Catholic. There is no gray area.

So what should we do with these politicians? My first thought is that denying them access to the eucharist (Jesus), can’t be the answer. The Eucharist is the sacrament that makes us more like Jesus and takes us towards God and away from sin. In my view, this is the only way to help these politicians take a stand for life and not acquiese to society’s warped view that we have the “right”  to kill whether it be the unborn, the sick, the criminal, or if that’s what the individual chooses to do. This makes us all disposable at some point.

There is another aspect that should stop members of the church from denying the Eucharist to “catholic” politicians – Jesus never denied himself to anyone in the gospels so what gives any of us the right to deny others to Jesus? It doesn’t in my view. I believe that taking this approach just puts us between man and God and that’s not a position we as disciples of Christ should ever be in.

As difficult as it is to see these politicians claim to be Catholics, disregard the word of God, and then walk up to receive the Eucharist for a photo opportunity, we need to remember that their position on abortion is between the politician and God. If they truly are Catholics then we need to help them to find God and allow Him to change their hearts.

I welcome any and all comments related to this article. All I ask is that your comments be respectful and help encourage discussion amongst us. We all need to start talking with each other and not over each other.

The Bible and the Sanctity of Life

In the first two chapters of the Bible, God establishes the sanctity of human life:

Gn1:27 God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them

Ex20:13 You shall not kill.

Ex23:7 You shall keep away from anything dishonest. The innocent and the just you shall not put to death, for I will not acquit the guilty

Jesus and Children

In the Bible, Jesus speaks of a special place for children in the Kingdom of Heaven in  MT18: 1-5, 14:

1 At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst,

3 and said, “Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 and whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

14″but Jesus said. “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”