It’s dangerous to write about religion, but here I go.
The tentative decision by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to place restrictions on the sacred offering of communion to President Joe Biden for his pro-life views on abortion strikes me as patently stupid. It politicizes a religious ritual that exists to provide parishioners of the Roman Catholic and Episcopal faiths an inviolate connection to Jesus.
Some years ago, the Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maryland pointedly criticized then-Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, a longtime Catholic, for his views on abortion. If I recall correctly, the archbishop suggested that parishioners consider whether to vote for O’Malley. I was horrified at the archbishop’s audacious political intervention.
As former Governor Robert Ehrlich was wont to say, “Give me a break.” Said out of frustration, this sentiment echoes my attitude toward unseemly interference in politics. The Catholic Church should concern itself with its shrinking attendance and its views toward married and female priests.
It demeans itself when it feels compelled to punish a public official who dares to support a policy antithetical to church beliefs. It is hubris.
I admit that I have a somewhat jaded perspective. Having attended three Catholic weddings in our family, I chafe at the often-unwelcomed attitude by priests toward the taking of communion by Christians who are not Catholics. It’s a shameful shunning by the Catholic Church, a practice that my wife and I often ignore.
The proposed doctrine to block the Eucharist from politicians like Biden who have pro-life views flies into the inclusive nature of Jesus Christ’s ministry and words. He welcomed everyone, including sinners of all degrees of flawed behavior.
Far from being a student of the powerful Catholic Church, I have always frowned upon its forbidden and foreboding nature, its withholding of the sacrament to those it deems unworthy, its pronouncements about the human condition, such as the marriage of gay couples.
The Catholic Church said little or nothing about the morals and behavior of President Trump. Is the church’s moral compass tied only to abortion, a subject that consumes much too much space in public discourse? I would like to hear the Catholic discuss economic inequality, health care, racism, civility and environmental degradation.
Rather than spending 3-1/2 hours on drafting a document for debate in the fall to determine who should, and who shouldn’t be invited to the altar rail, the Catholic Church should focus on unifying our fractious nation, not further dividing it by arbitrary decisions about the recipients of the Eucharist.
Are Jesus’ teachings simply paid lip service? Is the Catholic Church now measuring and evaluating sin and determining that a political position on abortion or gay marriage or the death penalty warrants exclusion from the holiest act of obedience?
Again, give me a break and smell the sweet odor of change. Perhaps the bishops should seek counsel from Pope Francis, who espouses a far more inclusive Catholic Church than the small-minded majority of U.S. bishops.
Were I an unlikely member of the Catholic Church’s hierarchy, I would urge my colleagues to take a collective breath and confirm the obvious: Joe Biden is a decent, church-going person who is proud of his Catholic faith and openly displays his devotion to his religion.
Praise, not debar him.
His political positions are just that. They are divorced from the church, unrelated to the invitation to every Catholic to enjoy the Eucharistic and its explicit belief in Jesus Christ and his open-arm embrace of all people regardless of their sins.
No exception.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
Henry Herr says
Without getting too in the weeds. I agree that the US Catholic bishop stance is challenging. This decision to criticize and potentially limit the practice of faith alienates more than welcomes. Is Church for the sinner or the saint? Isn’t supposed to be both? If the Catholic Church believes their stance true, wouldn’t they welcome those who question it to visit their church, hear their teachings and use those teachings to potentially change the minds of those pro-choice? It’s basically giving up on redemption because you’ve excommunicated them. It’s one of the many reasons I’ve left the Catholic Church, even though I was raised Catholic. I’m still a devout Christian with a wonderful church now. Thank you for this piece.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Henry. The Catholic Church seems to take pride in its exclusiveness. I find that attitude anathema to the tenets of Christianity.
Steve Clineburg says
Howdy:
Just for the record, the Pope has thus far remained silent on this issue. I suppose that gives His Eminence the ability to go either way when and if He is challenged on this point.
And Henry Herr’s comments were right on.
Steve Clineburg
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Steve. I wish that the Pope would respond to the draft document produced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Perhaps he believes it prudent to stay out of American controversies. I wish he would speak up. He might inject some common sense.
David Montgomery says
The situation is very simple for practicing Catholics. The Catholic Church has rules and doctrines that we all swear to obey when confirmed. For the 25% of Catholics who attend Mass regularly and believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the wafer we receive, Holy Communion is the center of our worship. We accept that it may not be given to anyone who is not in good standing with the church, including ourselves if we are, for example, divorced and remarried outside the Church. It is absolutely mandatory in the case of mortal sin. Catholic teaching declares in the most certain terms that abortion is a mortal sin. This extends to politicians who vote for or, in the case of the President, issue direct orders to make abortion more widely practiced. Mortal sin equals no communion. Full stop. If you are a practicing Catholic, you must observe that rule, confess and be absolved before receiving communion.
Why does the Church teach and we believe all this? The strength of objections to President Biden’s continuing to receive communion arises from the Catholic belief about the nature of the Eucharist. Catholic doctrine is that the bread and wine become the body and blood of our Savior. This is called the doctrine of the Real Presence and is shared with some Anglican and Lutheran groups. It is not just a communal meal or a place for “open arm embrace …regardless of sins.” We are all sinners, but the body and blood of Christ are reserved for the repentant ones. It is true, and a sad commentary on how poorly many Catholics have been taught about their faith, that 2/3 of American Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence. But that does not make it any less a doctrine of the Catholic Church, which is one of things the Bishops are reaffirming. Because holy communion holds such an extraordinary place in our worship, the Church follows St Paul’s admonition “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27)
In an age of moral relativism, where subjective feelings define what is true and what is good, the Church’s 2000-year tradition of consistent doctrine and discipline and teaching of moral absolutes is its great attraction. Moreover, that obedience is necessary to be a “practicing Catholic:” none of the other rituals or observances are sufficient without it. My wife and I followed our priest’s instruction to refrain from communion for a number of years until our previous marriages were annulled. It did not matter that we contributed generously to the parish and Catholic charities, or that we attended Mass regularly. That is the rule. If you do not want to obey the rules, there are lots of churches that don’t have any.
That gets us to abortion. Catholics are required to have confessed and been absolved of mortal sins and to be in good standing with the Church before receiving communion. By formally cooperating in the evil of abortion and through his actions publicly rejecting Catholic teaching on the subject, President Biden is held to have failed both requirements.
The Church singles out the intentional killing of innocent human beings — from the moment of conception — as the most heinous of crimes. The unchallenged Catholic doctrine is that anyone who performs an abortion, assists or encourages a woman to have an abortion, or — and this is the key — votes for or promotes legislation to make abortion more widely available is equally guilty. Those are not negotiable principles, and they have been stated repeatedly by the same body of American bishops.
The first step that his priest must take is to counsel a politician who is in a state of mortal sin because of supporting abortion. By now the President cannot claim to be unaware of the Church’s teaching on the subject. That puts him in the position of obstinate refusal to obey a clear and necessary teaching of the Church. At that point, the President’s own soul is in jeopardy and withholding communion is intended to make him aware of his situation. But when the President, or 60 members of Congress, claim to be Catholic and to have the right to receive Communion in the Church, we call it a matter of public scandal. At the point refusing Communion becomes mandatory, because any priest who does not refuse that sacrament is agreeing that the central doctrines of the Church are optional, and that undermines the faith of other Catholics.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, David.The issue is what constitutes a “mortal sin.” The Catholic Church has its rigid position on mortal sin, one that conflicts with freedom—that is a woman’s right to determine if she wants a baby. I’m aware that the Catholic Church believes that no woman has the right to snuff out a life, though it is part of a woman’s body. You talk about absolutism as impetus for a person to join the Catholic Church. I question that reverence for rigidity,
I see no need for Joe Biden to repent. For taking a stand anathema to the ironclad teachings of the Catholic Church? That sort of thinking ignore’s Biden’s devotion to the church, his personal morality and his service to our nation.
David Montgomery says
You do not understand the Catholic position on abortion. A baby is never just part of a human body, it is a human being created in the image of God from the moment of creation. You may not believe that, but it is the teaching of the Catholic Church from the beginning. As to Biden, yes, taking a stand anathema to its most fundamental teachings means removing yourself from the Church.
As an aside, positions stated by Popes and bishops on political matters like climate change and immigration do not have the status of fundamental teachings.. Such matters are reserved to “prudential judgment” and the Church only advises on the moral principles that should be applied in making those decisions. In contrast, some actions, including abortion, are “intrinsically evil,” meaning that they are “always and everywhere wrong.” Of those, the bishops already reminded Catholics that “abortion is the pre-eminent moral evil of our time.”
Dont worry, these are only impositions on Catholics. Joe is welcome to walk away, but to be Catholic you obey the rules. They are not really hard.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you again, David. You understand and accept the rules. I would not be so presumptuous to question your devotion to the Catholic Church.
Dan O Patrick says
One might add that abortion is a sin that is singled out by the church for excommunication. Canon 1398 states “A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication.” One may say that politicians that vote to make it more available aren’t actually the ones completing the abortion but notes for this code indicate that excommunication applies to the person who obtains an abortion and those who assist in obtaining it. There may be debate as to whether politicians are excommunicated for their support of abortion but there’s no debate that the person who obtains the abortion is excommunicated and this is a serious matter.
Patricia Bradley says
Beautifully, thoughtfully and, I believe, reverently stated.
Rev Julie Hart says
In Twelve Foot Letters:
Thank You Howard!
It seems that if there was a way to exclude and “turn off” people from or toward The Church, this latest attempted pronouncement does its job. It clearly states: You are not Welcome here.
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion imparts God’s Word “visibly” as Martin Luther taught. It is a means of imparting God’s Grace, forgiveness, comfort and healing. What a wonderful gift Christ’s Church has to share in all of its apostolic expressions.
We Lutherans say: You are welcome to the Lord’s Table. These are the gifts of God for the People of God. And I’ll add in John Wesley’s stance that Holy Communion is a converting grace. Come one. Come all. Even Joe Biden.
Peace to all!
Rev Julie Hart, ELCA, ret.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Rev. Julie. How often I heard at altar railing at Christ Church, Easton, “the gifts of God for the people of God.” How could those words be any more welcoming and comforting? The words, doctrine and rules are so very different in the Catholic Church.
Jan Bohn says
I’m a lapsed Catholic who now attends an Episcopalian Church. But I believe if you claim to be Catholic, you claim to believe in the Catholic Doctrine – no excuses. I may now be Episcopalian but I agree with the Catholic Church that abortion is murder. If I support Planned Parenthood I am no upholding those beliefs. If Joe Biden believes he is a Catholic then he must not support abortion, full stop. That means he cannot countenance the government funding it. If he is a Catholic-lite, that’s a different story.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jan. The expectations of a Catholic are clear and unequivocal. They also are off-putting and rigid to those unwilling or unable to play by the rules. By virtue of these dictums, Joe Biden is a non-practicing Catholic. I find that conclusion more of an indictment of the church than I do of Mr. Biden.
David Montgomery says
I have tried to resist temptation, but I cannot stop myself from adding this brilliant tweet by Fr. Dwight Longenecker: “Today the Washington Post praises Joe Biden for revealing “an alternative view of what it means to be Catholic.” King Henry VIII already did that. It’s called Anglicanism.” Think about it. Mr. Freedlander posted his column on the day Catholics revere St Thomas More, beheaded by Henry VIII for upholding the Catholic doctrine that the king could not divorce and remarry.
Howard Freedlander says
Your historical knowledge of the Catholic Church buoys my belief that adherence to doctrine, regardless of its relevance to contemporary life, is confounding, except to those who accept it unquestionably. Joe Biden is devoted to the Catholic Church in ways that many Catholics are not. He views Catholicism as the bedrock of his life. Yet, because he favors abortion, conservative bishops who demand absolute allegiance to doctrine question his worthiness to accept the Eucharist. Fortunately, their dictum, now in draft form, will be disregarded by the Cardinals in Washington, DC and Wilmington, Del., where the Bidens worship. They understand the vacuity of the thinking exhibited at the recent meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Sharon Casey says
Bravo! I have had it up to here with the shameless hypocrisy of the Catholic Church.
Deirdre LaMotte says
And we all realize if men were able to get pregnant, this would not be an issue to the Catholic Church. They seemed quite silent
for years while boys were raped. What a bunch of hypocrites.The Pope stays silent because he knows how ridiculously rigid the US Conference is.
Thank you Martin Luther and King Henry!!
David Montgomery says
Another proof that anti-Catholicism is the last acceptable American prejudice. If you like Henry VIII, you must love the KKK whose main target by the 1920s was Catholics.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I will not dignify your statement with an answer.
However,
Curious how ok it is to erase one’s marriage in the Catholic Church in order to remarry but not ok
for a person to control one’s reproductive decisions.
Oh, yeah, it’s about man’s power over women.