Illinois Bishop Denies Holy Communion to Pro-Abortion Democrats

Miguel Moreno
By Miguel Moreno
June 9, 2019US News
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Illinois Bishop Denies Holy Communion to Pro-Abortion Democrats
Illinois state Reps. Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, left, D-Chicago, Kelly Cassidy, center, D-Chicago, and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, right, D-Glenview, film the vote on the Reproductive Health Act in the Illinois House chambers Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in Springfield, Illinois. (Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP)

Leaders of the Illinois General Assembly have been barred from receiving the Holy Communion in Springfield for “promoting the evil of abortion.”

After a pro-abortion bill was passed on May 29, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki reproached and blocked House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton from the Christian rite, based on a Catholic canon, according to KMOV4. Other legislators who voted for the bill were barred, as well.

“To support legislation that treats babies in the womb like property, allowing for their destruction for any reason at any time, is evil,” Paprocki said in a statement, obtained by the National Catholic Register (pdf).

The Reproductive Act contains ambiguous language that would permit a mother to get an abortion—regardless of the stage in pregnancy—if her “familial health” is at risk. The bill will now go to the Democrat-majority Senate, and if passed, go to Governor J.B. Pritzker—who has confirmed he will sign.

Paprocki told Madigan that backing the bill would mean forfeiting Communion.

“I believe it is more important to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, including women who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest,” said Madigan, according to KMOV4.

Politicians Challenge the Church

In an interview with the National Catholic Register, the Bishop said that this period of time requires the Church to take a firm stance.

“And so now, we’ve got politicians, Catholic politicians who are saying that they think the Church is wrong,” he said. “They think the Church is wrong about abortion and euthanasia and our teachings on marriage and family life. And I think that cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former presidential-hopeful John Kerry, both self-described Catholics, have been scrutinized by the church in the past for their pro-abortion stances. Kerry was denied Communion during his 2004 presidential run, the Associated Press reported.

Fox News reported that Catholic leaders have called to excommunicate New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his “flagrant celebration of a pro-abortion bill.”

Not All in Favor

Father Michael Pfleger of the Archdiocese of Chicago has accused the bishop of “using the Holy Communion as a weapon,” according to Fox News.

Pfleger wrote in a tweet that he is against abortion, but suggested that there are other things to worry about.

Pfleger has been a controversial figure in the Catholic church, making headlines over his involvement in politics, including inviting pro-abortion presidential candidate Al Sharpton to speak at a mass in 2003, and for threatening to leave the Catholic Church if forced to leave his parish.

By his denying Communion to politicians in the name of protecting children, Paprocki said he expects people to single out the Church’s flaws.

“The same justifiable anger we feel towards the abuse of innocent children, however, should prompt an outcry of resistance against legalizing the murder of innocent children,” stated Paprocki. “The failings of the Church do not change the objective reality that the murder of a defenseless baby is an utterly evil act.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

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