Unam Ecclesiam: Pro-Abortion Politicians 'Must' be Denied Communion

Friday, November 27, 2009

Pro-Abortion Politicians 'Must' be Denied Communion

In June 2004 then-head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI issued a letter entitled 'Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion. General Principles' to U.S. Bishops who were debating the issue stating, in part:

"5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
6. When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgement on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin."
Spanish bishops heeded this letter on November 27, 2009 when, according to a LifeSite article, the Plenary Assembly of the Spanish Episcopal Conference issued a statement saying that politicians who vote for a proposed law liberalizing abortion in Spain place themselves in an "objective state of sin and, while the situation lasts, may not be admitted to Holy Communion."

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Unam Ecclesiam

From the Credo - Latin for "I believe" - the Nicene Creed prayed during the Latin Mass.

The Credo

The Nicene Creed—also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed—was composed and refined during the ecumenical Councils of Nicea and Constantinople in the early fourth century; these councils defended the true nature of Jesus against heresies of the time. This Nicene Creed (from the Latin word credo, “I believe”) declares that Jesus was indeed both true God and true man.

All the people join in chanting the Credo in the Gregorian simple tone.

Listen to the Latin: 60 sec. music \| Text not available
CREDO in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.	I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt.	And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages; God from God, light of light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made.
Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: ET HOMO FACTUS EST. Hic genuflectitur.	Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, *AND WAS MADE MAN. * All genuflect while reciting these words.
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis: sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in caelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris.	He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day he arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven. He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis.	and He shall come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead: and His kingdom shall have no end.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.	And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas.	Who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified: Who spoke by the prophets.
Et unam, sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam.	And one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.	I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.