Both during election time and outside, many pro-lifers and good Catholics feel that it is scandalous for pro-abortion politicians and politicians to receive communion. Several bishops feel the same way and even refuse the sacrament. Others have tried to dialogue with these figures, asking that they either accept the Gospel of Life or personally refrain from taking the Eucharist. The American Life League has been especially vocal in urging American bishops to establish a unified policy to prevent such blasphemy.
Catholic Answers, an apologetics organization, distributed an e-letter in 2004 arguing that Senator John Kerry, the Democratic candidate for the presidency, should not be permitted to receive Holy Communion. Senator Kerry had publicly dissented on Church teaching and was avidly pro-abortion. The concern of many was his poor witness to others that such dissent was acceptable for Catholics.
The Church has a right to protect both the faith of her people and to regulate the sacraments in such a way that both honors God and protects the Eucharist from defamation. The reception of the sacrament by those who are not properly disposed constitutes the grave sin of sacrilege. While there might be public consequences, this was really an internal debate and subject for the Catholic Church. Catholics can and do vote for non-Catholics and fallen-away Catholics. If politicians or media celebrities should be deemed bad Catholics, that in itself does not mean the people in the pews would not vote for them or see their movies or listen to their music.
Catholic Answers, a group dedicated to defending and explaining Catholic teaching, was fined by the Internal Revenue Service for their e-letter. It is contended that the group CATHOLICS FOR A FREE CHOICE under Francis Kissling had a hand in it. Some say that there are still many in the IRS from the Clinton years when so-called “right-wing” groups were regularly targeted.
Karl Keating of Catholic Answers said that Kissing also hated their VOTER’S GUIDE FOR SERIOUS CATHOLICS. It sought to educate Catholics about the importance of abortion; however, it did NOT mention any political parties or candidates by name. The guide was cleared of any IRS violations.
Given the fine for the e-letter, Catholic Answers is suing the IRS. They are claiming that the IRS has “intimidated” churches and non-profit groups into silence on certain controversial moral issues. This is actually the case and the reason why there is so much silence from the pulpits. Bishops are afraid and they have transferred this anxiety to their priests with very restrictive policies about what can and cannot be said.
