The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voted to move forward with creating a document that will keep abortion supporting Catholic politicians, from participating in communion.
What We Know:
- On Thursday, the bishops voted on creating a policy that states “the meaning of the Eucharist,” the Holy Communion. 168 bishops voted in favor of the policy, and 55 voted against it. Many of the bishops believe Catholic politicians, like President Joe Biden, shouldn’t be allowed to partake in communion because they are pro-choice or for abortion rights. Holy Communion is one of the most sacred traditions of the Catholic church, and it’s where members take bread and wine as representations of the body and blood of Jesus to honor his sacrifice.
- The bishops met virtually over three days, where they discussed the communion policy. Those for the policy believe some form of action should be taken against Biden for his plans of protecting abortion rights. The 55 bishops against the policy feel that creating it will present them as being partisan in a country that’s pretty divided.
- Biden is a supporter of abortion rights and the 2nd Catholic elected U.S. president. He attends Mass regularly and was married to his 1st wife in a Catholic Church. Biden has stated that he doesn’t agree with abortions per his religion, however, he doesn’t want to push his viewpoints on others. In 2019, Biden was denied communion while attending a Catholic church in South Carolina.
“I do not believe that we have a right to tell other people, women, that they can’t control their bodies. That’s a decision between them and their doctor, in my view, and the Supreme Court, I’m not going to interfere with that,” said Biden.
- Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, has said that he will not turn away Biden from participating in Holy Communion. He opposes the communion policy being pushed by the Catholic president, as he believes that it will further divide us as a people. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City has stated that Biden brought about the need for the policy with his “pro-choice” stance on a matter that other Catholics are against.
- The USCCB’s doctrine committee will meet up and draft an official statement on “the meaning of communion in the church,” which will be submitted for a vote at their next meeting in November. The group needs a majority two-thirds vote to pass the policy. Yet, if the policy gets passed, it will not be binding law. Each bishop will be able to decide who can and cannot participate in their church’s communion.
60 Catholic Democrats in Congress have already voiced their disapproval of the communion policy, and hope the bishops pushing for it change their minds. The Vatican has already disclosed that it’s not in favor of the policy and Biden’s church in Washington, will most likely disregard the policy, if passed.
