Thread by @mboorstein

A story and then a thread on bishops, Biden and abortion: U.S. Catholic bishops next month will take a vote aimed directly at the question of whether pro-choice politicians should receive Communion. 1/7
washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/…

I spoke to Archbishop Joseph Naumann, leader of the US bishops’ pro-life committee and one of the men pressing for the vote. He noted the bishops took a similar vote in 2004, but said the new effort is urgent because of what he calls a “different climate” on abortion. 2/7

“Those who promote abortion rarely talk about choice anymore. They’ve gone beyond that as they promote abortion as medical care..But that’s how they frame it; they want to coerce everyone to be complicit with it. This is a much different moment. It’s even worse than in 2004.” 3/7

The president “has created a problem for himself and for the church by acting in a way that’s obviously very contrary to very fundamental moral doctrines of the church and then to have himself and his press secretary say he’s a devout Catholic.” 4/7

“In doing that he is, I think, whether intentionally or not, he is actually encroaching on our responsibility as bishops to say what is correct Catholic teaching and moral practice. He’s assuming the role of a teacher,” Naumann said. 5/7

I asked Naumann if it was productive to focus on denying communion to someone who is so church-going, someone who has said their faith is the root of their life. 6/7

“I’d frame it a bit differently. I’d say it’s a matter of integrity on his part. The president should have the integrity to say: 'I disagree with the church on this fundamental teaching'…it’s a matter of integrity. He shouldn’t present himself for communion.” 7/7