U.S. Catholic bishops approved a document outlining the significance of communion without specifically mentioning any politician and their opinions of abortion rights.
According to The Washington Post, 222 voted in favor of the document while eight opposed it. They voted at the meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
As the Post reported, “The USCCB’s president called for a special working group to consider how to address the image of a Catholic politician who supports abortion rights attending Mass and receiving Communion.”
The outlet continued, “The group suggested a document on Communion, along with more dialogue with Catholic politicians who support abortion rights and the current law on access.”
Additionally, the document does not mention President Joe Biden. It states, “Laypeople who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to form their consciences in accord with the Church’s faith and the moral law, and to serve the human family by upholding human life and dignity.”
The Post also noted the document cites previous documents, saying Catholics who “knowingly or obstinately” reject church teachings are “not to be admitted” to Communion.
In October, Biden met with Pope Francis. He claimed abortion did not come up during their conversations. Still, Biden said, “We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving Communion.”
The president previously expressed his support for abortion rights. In September, Biden voiced his opposition to the Texas law, banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, as IJR previously reported.
“The most pernicious thing about the Texas law, it sort of creates a vigilante system where people get rewards to go out…And it just seems un-American,” Biden said.
He continued, “I respect people who think…who don’t support Roe v. Wade. I respect their views. I respect those who believe life begins in the moment of conception. I respect that, I don’t agree with it, I respect that.”
