Communion Cock-up: Chaplain Gave The Eucharist To Chicago’s Gay, Non-Catholic Mayor

CATHOLIC police chaplain Fr Dan Brandt, above, said that he “didn’t have his wits about him” when he “mistakenly” gave Holy Communion to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, inset, who is openly gay and isn’t even a Catholic.

The “scandalous” error occurred on Thursday at the funeral of police officer Ella French, 29, shot and killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop on August 7. Thousands attended the funeral at St Rita of Cascia Chapel.

Lightfoot was seated in a front pew during the Mass and was the first in line to receive the Eucharist.

Explaining how he had broken Catholic canon law, which only allows non-Catholics to receive to receive Communion in limited circumstances and in the case of a “grave necessity”, a “mortified” Brandt told The Catholic News Agency that just moments prior to Communion he was asked by Cardinal Blase Cupich, the main celebrant, to take his place distributing the Eucharist. He became flustered when he saw the Mayor step forward.

You know something, I am to blame for that and I am mortified. I actually gave her Communion … I put the sacred host in her hand and I was like ‘Oh!’ and of course it was too late at that point. And I was like, ‘Oh dear God, have mercy.’

Brandt added that he is deeply apologetic toward those who were offended by the mayor receiving Communion.

I apologize for any scandal that my absentmindedness may have caused. It was certainly not intentional and wish I had my wits about me. Or better yet I wish the Cardinal had just given out Communion because I was planning on going back and sitting for the next portion of the Mass and procession.

I can’t apologize enough for anyone who’s upset by the fact that she received the Eucharist. That is totally on me and I own it. And it was an honest mistake and I pray that your readers have the same mercy that I hope the Lord gives me.

Neither the archdiocese nor the Mayor’s office responded to multiple inquiries from CNA seeking comment on Friday.

In his homily, Cupich described French, above, as a “woman of empathy for the sufferings of others” and:

Generous to the point of dedicating her life to making a difference in the world.

According to the alumni association for Washington High School, her alma mater, Lightfoot is a member of the St James AME Zion Church in her hometown of Massillon, Ohio, which is part of a Methodist ecclesial community.

The same website identifies her as a founding trustee of Christ the King Jesuit High School, which serves underprivileged African-American community members on Chicago’s west side.

Lightfoot is the first openly gay mayor of Chicago, as well as the city’s first African-American woman to serve in that post. She is married to Amy Eshleman, with whom she has a daughter.

During a press conference after Thursday’s Mass, Lightfoot, viewed by some critics as being at odds with the police department, said she hoped her presence at the funeral would be seen as: