I know that some pro choice and other so called Catholic politicians have recently presented themselves for communion even when they do not adhere to the teaching of the Catholic Church. While I am sure that our Lord would not want to turn anyone away who errs what is proper for a priest to do in such circumstances? Should he give them communion or should he refuse? 

Sincerely,

Wanda Foldem

The answer to your question is very simple. Unless the Pope has indicated something different, it is proper for a priest to do what his bishop tells him to do. 

You see we presbyters aren't really part of the equation. (Presbyter is a fancy Greek word for priest that is a bit more theologically precise)  We are in no way infallible, no matter what your pastor may think. I’m sure that this answer is not very satisfying, so let me complicate matters. 

I got a very unhappy phone call a couple of weeks ago wondering why some bishops refuse to give communion to pro-abortion politicians and others don’t say a thing.

First, “any baptized person who is not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to Holy Communion.” Canon Law #912 There is however another canon law,  #394 that says a bishop must protect the unity of the universal Church by promoting the common discipline of the whole Church. At the same time he is to be vigilant lest abuses creep in to ecclesiastical discipline... especially the celebration of the sacraments.  

At this time, there is no consensus either in the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, nor any definitive statement from the Holy Father, Pope Benedict. So, some bishops reason that they can't deny communion to pro-abortion  politicians, since those same politicians say they are not pro-abortion, simply pro-choice. Other bishops worry about scandal to the faithful.

A person who procures an abortion is automatically excommunicated (canon #1938). That means even if you help someone get an abortion, you’re out like a slow runner at third base. No more communion until you are reconciled with the Church and the Lord. That includes doctors, nurses, secretaries at abortion clinics, etc., even people who knowingly give you a ride to the abortion clinic unless by doing so they hope to have half an hour to talk the poor woman out of it. 

So, if these people who help the murderers are excommunicated, why aren't the legislators and judges who make it all possible excommunicated? 

Good question. 

A bishop must do his best to obey canon law and as of yet, there is no clear consensus. The Catholic church works pretty slowly, but when we make a decision that decision is one that last for thousands of years. 

My own opinion is that abortion, especially in its current availability, is the single greatest evil in history. It combines the worst of slavery and the worst of genocide. 

My cousin Theo, God rest him, had a wonderful little tavern in our town in Germany. The family lived upstairs and that is where I would stay when I went back to the old county. I was good for business. Everybody would drop by to buy a schnapps to toast the American cousin. After a couple such toasts all the old guys would launch into it. “My father was the Jews’ best friend!” Of 300 Jews in our town, 3 survived the war. Where were all those best friends when it mattered?

I wonder if in some future there won’t be a ranking clergyman or two sitting on a bar stool saying, “I was the pro-life movement’s best friend.” The holocaust ripped the heart out of Germany and the abortion rights movement is ripping the heart out of America. 

We make the Nazis look like boy scouts. We are the murderers of our own children. When we realize what we have done by doing nothing, I fear it will be far too late. 

God have mercy on this bleeding and suicidal country.

Rev. Know-It-All