House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is weighing in on a push by some U.S. bishops to deny Communion to Catholic elected officials who support abortion rights.
When a reporter mentioned Catholic bishops deciding whether to deny Communion due to abortion views, Pelosi said during her press briefing on Thursday, “I think I can use my own judgment on that but I’m pleased with what the Vatican put out on that subject. Did you read that?”
She added, “It basically says don’t be divisive on the subject,” before adding, “Thank you,” and leaving the press briefing.
Check out Pelosi’s comments below:
COMMUNION: Speaker Pelosi responds to a question about U.S. bishops planning to deny her and other Catholic Democratic politicians Communion. pic.twitter.com/oyqzOHoMgG
— Forbes (@Forbes) May 13, 2021
In June, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is expected to meet and vote on drafting guidelines for Communion, according to Fox News.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco wrote in a letter earlier this month, “Because we are dealing with public figures and public examples of cooperation in moral evil, this correction can also take the public form of exclusion from the reception of Holy Communion. As seen above, this discipline has been exercised throughout our history, going back to the New Testament.”
The letter added, “When other avenues are exhausted, the only recourse a pastor has left is the public medicine of temporary exclusion from the Lord’s Table. This is a bitter medicine, but the gravity of the evil of abortion can sometimes warrant it.”
Additionally, the Catholic Bishops may urge President Joe Biden to stop taking Communion. He is the first Catholic president to support abortion rights.
As mentioned by Pelosi, the Vatican warned U.S. bishops not to deny Communion to Catholic elected officials who support abortion rights.
This issue is divided among U.S. bishops regarding whether or not to allow the Communion.
