One of the controversies facing the Catholic church in recent months has been the question of Holy Communion — specifically whether it should be offered to Catholic politicians, including President Joe Biden, who advocate for abortion rights.
Some Catholics say it shouldn’t, on the grounds that an abortion rights stance violates basic teachings of the denomination. Others want their sacraments and politics kept separate. But don’t expect the nation’s Catholic bishops to settle the matter any time soon.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops holds its four-day annual general assembly in Baltimore starting Monday, as it has every year but one since 2006. The conference brings nearly 300 of the nation’s top Catholic prelates together in Baltimore, the center of the first and oldest U.S. diocese, to weigh, discuss and vote on the issues affecting the American church as a whole.
As they do each year, the bishops stay at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on the Inner Harbor, and meet there, as well.
This year’s agenda has the clerics hearing reports on socially responsible investing and an initiative aimed at supporting pregnant women. They’re expected to discuss and vote on new translations of liturgy, choose new chairmen of five major committees and approve a budget for 2022.
The most hotly anticipated moment might be when a committee that has been asked to take a fresh look at the practice of Holy Communion presents a polished version of a document it’s been working for a year and a half.
Some in the church have wondered whether it will take a stance on the question of Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, such as Biden and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But, according to Archbishop William E. Lori of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the document as it stands spurns politics in favor of striking an uplifting, pastoral tone.
“This document will not take up the question of [whether politicians should be given communion],” said Lori, who served as a consultant to the Committee on Doctrine, which wrote the report. “It does speak about the question of worthiness to receive Holy Communion. It simply speaks to what all of us should know and reflect on before we receive Holy Communion.”
The rite, also known as the Eucharist, calls for Catholics to consume bread and wine that has been blessed by a priest. Unlike other denominations, the Catholic Church considers the bread and wine to have been transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
However, a survey of U.S. Catholics conducted by the Pew Center for Research in 2019 found that only 30% embrace the belief that the Eucharist contains Christ’s blood and body. Lori said the church takes such findings seriously and that the statistics reflect a range of larger challenges, from a decline in church attendance over the years to an “erosion of belief” that lies behind it.
The worldwide church is embarking on multiyear “eucharistic revival project,” he said, and the U.S. bishops decided they could contribute by writing a document that views the rite — the most important of the church’s seven sacraments — through fresh eyes. That, he says, calls not for a political statement, but for “pointing out some of the truths about the Eucharist that are especially timely,” including how it “puts us in touch with Christ’s redemptive sacrifice of love.”
When the document is presented, Lori said, the bishops will have an opportunity to amend it. They could submit suggested changes to the committee, which could then bring them to the full body for a vote. Still, he expects the group to find a “middle way.”
“There will be various kinds of amendments, but my sense is that the bishops are focused on pastoral issues, on wanting to invite people back to the Eucharist and to help people to be robust in their faith in the Eucharist,” he said.
The scene around the Marriott will not be without controversy. Hundreds are expected to attend a rally Tuesday by Church Militant, a far-right group whose members protest what they consider a leftward drift by the worldwide church. The group will rally at MECU Pavilion, within view of the bishops’ hotel, after winning a court battle with the city of Baltimore over its right to appear. Scheduled speakers include former Trump advisor Steve Bannon, who was indicted Friday on charges of contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas, and conservative commentator Milo Yiannopoulos.
Lori said it is not unusual for groups to protest while the bishops meet and expressed gratitude to the bishops’ conference for providing security for the meetings.
Last year’s assembly was virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic, which means the bishops haven’t come together in the same place for two years. They’ll practice some social distancing and wear masks, Lori said, in compliance with Baltimore City guidelines, but that won’t diminish the joy of his colleagues’ return.
“I’m always very happy when the bishops are here in Baltimore, the nation’s first diocese,” he said. “I always think of it as a homecoming.”
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The path of least resistance.
WHAT leaders!? THey all certainly seem to show they don’t give a rats butt, about what the bible says… especially the pope.
I agree…Bible or Polls?…. this is a no brainer… they’re going to follow the MONEY… as usual.
I personally have no use for religions. To me modern religions and denominations are either a business or a cult.
I worship GOD and his son Jesus Christ, I read and try to follow the Word of GOD. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord of my life, but I only confess to being a Christian.
If a religion helps someone to learn about GOD, teaches only what is in the Holy Bible and helps one to except Jesus as GOD’s Son and their savior, then that religion is good. If a religion influenced by a political doctrine then it is a cult.
One’s relationship with GOD is entirely between them and GOD.
No religion will get you into heaven, only one’s relationship with GOD and his Son Jesus Christ will get you accepted into heaven.
If the Catholic religion is having a debate about the acceptance of abortion, I don’t give the Catholic religion any credibility.
#6 of the 10 Commandments of GOD – “Thou Shalt Not Kill”.
To many the theology of the Church is inconvenient therefore they have divided that which they do during most of the time from what they profess during the hour or so they spend in church on Sunday, or perhaps Saturday night. I was disappointed with Pope Francis and his meetings with Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi which glossed over the temporal side of views held by the Church, though this in surprising from one close to what’s known a liberation theology in some of its aspects.
What we do know is the the founder of the Church, Jesus Christ, was never recorded as having injured anyone or had them out to death but prevented an execution and raised someone from the dead.
With THIS Pope (and recent Popes), I will not be shocked if the SINS of elected Democrats are ignored (if not outright forgiven)!
THIS is ONE of the reasons (along with the protection of Pedophile Priests) that has taken the Catholic Church away from me!
AND Its why i am GLAD TO be agnostic..
There are a few in leadership who care more about God and His word but it seems that most are willing to trade eternal life for worldly popularity. Justice will come in God’s own timing.
Jesus Christ was crucified because He stuck with the Word of God. Most will avoid the confrontation. They will sell God out and go with the flow.
Since when has the Catholic church ever followed the Bible? Never in history.
That is patently untrue. In fact, were it not FOR the Catholic Church the Protestant churches would not HAVE a bible (even if the Protestants opted to remove a number of books which their leaders found uncomfortable or inconsistent with their beliefs).
The Roman Catholic Church is founded on the three strands of 1) Sacred Scripture, 2) Tradition, and 3) the Magesterium which conveys the teachings of the Church through the millenia.
And, as found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 a three strand cord is not easily broken. When you drop out one or two of the cords the result will be a weakened cord that is easily broken. Perhaps that is why the Roman Catholic Church still stands but there are tens of thousands of Protestant denominations many of which contradict each other in teaching.
praireliving:
Maybe you should read a little history: “A Concise History of the Roman Catholic Church”
https://www.learnreligions.com/roman-catholic-church-history-700528
The Church needs a teaching document on the reception of Holy Eucharist. It isn’t a political issue it is an immortal soul issue. If a priest or bishop really loves his flock he will encourage those who are not in communion with the Church and her teachings, especially on the non-negotiable issues (abortion, homosexual marriage, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and human cloning), to abstain until they are.
For all those, politician or not, who have made a break with the Church they need to go to confession and then make a firm purpose of amendment in their lives to follow the Church and her teachings. Anything less, especially for those who are in public positions, is to create scandal. Holy Eucharist isn’t a right, it isn’t a reward, it is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ received in humility because no one is truly worthy to receive Jesus into themselves. Yet, Jesus in his grace, has allowed this and gives us this sacrament as an undeserved gift.
Anyone including the pope who believes they have Gods authority to forgive sins, embraces queerism and uses parishioners tithes to pay off victims of molestation to keep them quiet is not someone I would consider following. But them again you are known by the company you keep which says a lot about him & the politicians he hosts.
Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins. Even if you are sola scriptura what part of of these passages suggests otherwise?
Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
John 20:23
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.
Pretty clear that Jesus was giving authority to forgive sins to his apostles. The ‘keys of the kingdom’ is when he gives Peter the authority to be the head of the church…thus the first pope.