I am curious after reading this article about the official Catholic position on such things. Is Weigand just expressing his opinion, or can he order the priests under him to not give Governor Davis Communion? Is he allowed to do this under his own initiative, or is he exceeding his authority? (Please note: I am seeking a factual answer, so if we can keep it out of GD or the Pit that would be great. Thanks.)
Before tomendebb weighs in with more accurate information, I believe that any priest can deny Communion to someone if he feels that the potential communicant is not “eligible” (for lack of a better term.)
For example, if my local priest knows that I’m divorced and remarried and didn’t get all the paperwork signed off by the Church, then he can refuse to give my Communion.
I suppose that if a priest feels that a particular communicant, i.e. Gray Davis, has violated Church teachings to such an extent by supporting abortion, then he can withhold Communion.
I don’t believe that a particular bishop’s authority goes beyond the boundaries of his diocese, with the notable exception of the Bishop of Rome, i.e. The Pope.
The bishop has the authority to deny the governor communion. Whether the governor’s actions cross the line that allows the bishop to make that decision, I am not sure. (The bishop of Lincoln Nebraska has threatened to excommunicate people a couple of times in the last few years and the canon lawyers and theologians who have been interviewed following those remarks have generally said that he was over-reacting and over-reaching his authority.)
I do note, in the article, that the bishop asked the governor to refrain and I saw no indication that the bishop has sent any orders to his priests demanding that they withhold the Eucharist from Davis.
The comments by the members of Davis’s staff were fairly silly. In matters of Faith and Morals, the church does believe it should be telling people how to behave. If a Catholic acts against church teaching, what is the point of claiming to be a member of the church? (Note that I am making no judgments regarding Davis and his faith, only responding to the comments of the aides.)
HEY! I’m not the only Catholic Apologist around here. Bricker and beagledave and JRDlerious and a few others are quite competent to discuss RCC issues. (I may show up more often, but I am not the sole or best authority.)
** JRDelirious** (Stupid fingers never press the right keys)
I also think that this must be some self-regulating that must be done. I suppose that a priest may be able to recognize a famous person who has been excommunicated, but I don’t think that your average guy off the street who’s been cut off will be recognized by every priest.
It’s not like they check you for outstanding warrants before you go up to receive Communion as if you were being written up for a traffic violation.
I certainly agree with that. I was just curious if the Bishop’s remarks had gotten to the level of an official censure, and if he was empowered to do such a thing, so thanks for the fast responses!
The spokesman is a bit of an idiot…
It’s not simply holding a pro choice position that could “cause scandal” per se…but using a highly visible office to do so.
Fabian Bruskewitz is the bishop that Tom referred to. He is the ordinary of Lincoln.
Back in 1995, he issued the following gem
The Pilot, the Catholic Newspaper of Boston issued a stern rebuttal.
When you’re taking positions to the right (of then) Bernard Cardinal Law…you’re off the radar. 