The Most Reverend Donald should know better as well!

Archbishop Wuerl is the latest Catholic bishop to shift the responsibility regarding the improper reception of Holy Communion by Pro-Abortion rights politicians when Benedict XVI visited Washington, D.C. The Most Reverend Donald indicates the responsibility of informing the errant politicians belongs to the respective bishops of their own dioceses. Well, that is complete nonsense. As the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., there is a unique responsibility incumbent upon the Archbishop to especially make sure Catholic Church teachings are observed. Not only is the city the home of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, it is the political and governmental center of the country. The responsibility falls with the Archbishop of Washington, D.C. to not only preserve and protect Catholic teachings, but also deepen its appreciation for all visitors to this unique “archdiocese” that spiritually ministers to the area that encompasses all three branches of the United States Government.
Consistent applications of the Church’s teachings against politicians that publicly favor Pro-Abortion rights and maintain their Catholic individuality is critically important for the Church’s mission against such wavering political vacillation. In his Archdiocese, Archbishop Wuerl is the representative figure that personifies all of the moral and ethical teachings the Church maintains on the rights of a Pro-life Catholic Church. For him to indicate lack of responsibility in keeping the proper applications of Church teachings regarding the proper disposition towards the reception of Holy Eucharist is quite honestly a statement reflective of the political maneuverings Washington, D.C. is known for.
It is time for the American Catholic Bishops to take off their political correctness buttons and replace them with a miter, the symbol of teaching authority held by the office of bishop. Catholics are looking towards their pastoral leaders for examples and direction regarding serious moral and ethical questions that persistently undermine our real and authentic Catholic identity. The preservation of the sanctity of our Eucharistic Lord in Holy Communion should be the first Catholic responsibility held by all of the Catholic faithful, especially our Bishops. We need to be perfectly clear about our Catholic Church’s teachings on the proper disposition individuals should have towards the reception of Holy Eucharist. Politicians especially cannot and should not receive Eucharist if they politically and publicly hold a position that contradicts the right to life teachings of the Catholic Church. Most importantly, if they attempt to receive Eucharist they should be refused this opportunity, unless there is a public retraction of their erroneous message against Catholic teachings. This common sense approach applies to all Catholics, if you do not believe what we maintain in our Catholic deposit of faith; you have taken yourself out of the proper requirements necessary for the reception of Holy Eucharist.
This message is something our American Bishops need to stress very clearly and publicly. In light of the recent Apostolic, discourses’ regarding the great gift the Church has in the Sacrament of Penance, proper attention needs to be given to the reality of sin. As this author previously indicated, a generation ago, every Catholic could rely upon the teachings of the Baltimore Catechism and recite the conditions necessary for reception of Holy Communion. Today, after decades of sacramental reductionism, secularism and political correctness most Catholics have a great difficulty admitting the existence of sin, let alone acknowledge their own personal need for penance and forgiveness. Archbishop Wuerl’s proclamation of “other bishop’s” responsibility is another good example of the failure of the American Bishops to collectively accept responsibility for all of the Church’s moral, ethical and social teachings. Subjective relativism based on the juridical boundaries of an Archdiocese is the excuse used in this case.
Last week, Cardinal Egan of New York passed the Episcopal buck regarding the improper reception of Communion by Rudy Guliani during the Papal events. His Eminence indicated that it was about the former New York mayor’s views of Pro-Choice politics and not related to his multiple invalid marriages. Once again, selective relativism. American Catholics need to demand their American hierarchy stop selectively shortchanging our Catholic ideals and principles and start teaching the authentic Catholic message intended by our Catholic traditions and apostolic heritage.
Last week, Cardinal Egan should have known better. Well, this week, His Excellency the Donald of Washington, D.C. should know better as well.