Bishop Paprocki: The bishops must discuss worthiness to receive the Eucharist
“Sadly, there are some bishops and cardinals of the Church who not only are willing to give holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians, but who seek to block the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from addressing the question of Eucharistic coherence….”
Bishop Thomas Paprocki, Diocese of Springfield, Illinois
Washington D.C., May 26, 2021 / 12:59 pm (CNA).
Another U.S. bishop has reproached efforts to delay discussion of “Eucharistic coherence” by the whole conference.
“Sadly, there are some bishops and cardinals of the Church who not only are willing to give holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians, but who seek to block the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from addressing the question of Eucharistic coherence,” stated Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois on Wednesday.
The question of “Eucharistic coherence,” he added, “has taken on heightened urgency with the election of President Biden, a Catholic who promotes the evils of abortion, same-sex marriage, and transgenderism.”
In a recent letter, Cardinal Blasé Cupich of Chicago and other bishops asked the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, that deliberations on “Eucharistic worthiness and other issues raised by the Holy See” be delayed until the bishops can meet again in-person.
Individual bishops have recently addressed the application of canon law to situations of Catholic public officials who support permissive abortion laws. President Joe Biden is a Catholic and supports taxpayer-funded abortion, and individual bishops have argued both for and against denying him Holy Communion because of his continued support for legal abortion.
Bishop Paprocki noted in his Wednesday statement that the phrase “Eucharistic coherence” appeared in the 2007 Aparecida Document of the Latin American and Caribbean bishops – which then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, had a “crucial role” in developing.
In that 2007 document, the bishops noted the role of public officials in defending the sanctity of life on issues such as abortion and euthanasia. When Catholic officials support these “grave crimes against life and the family,” they are not to present themselves for Communion, the bishops said.
“We must adhere to ‘eucharistic coherence,’ that is, be conscious that they cannot receive Holy Communion and at the same time act with deeds or words against the commandments, particularly when abortion, euthanasia, and other grave crimes against life and the family are encouraged,” the document stated.
Bishop Paprocki further stated that the teaching on “Eucharistic coherence” is also part of canon law.
According to canons 915 and 916, “a person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or to receive the Body of the Lord’ and that those ‘who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion,’” Bishop Paprocki said.
“This is not a judgement of the interior disposition of person’s soul, which only God can judge, but pertains to the person’s external actions in relation to objectively grave sins,” he said.
With the spring meeting of the bishops approaching, Archbishop Gomez had written to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on March 30. He informed the congregation that the U.S. bishops would be discussing Eucharistic consistency at their upcoming spring meeting, addressing the situations of Catholic public officials who support permissive laws on grave evils such as abortion and euthanasia.
On May 7, the prefect of the congregation – Cardinal Luis Ladaria – wrote back, telling Archbishop Gomez that if the bishops were to consider any “national policy” on Communion including these situations, they would need to first dialogue extensively and serenely among themselves to ensure they were united on the Church’s teaching.
Cardinal Cupich noted the Vatican’s call for dialogue and unity in his recent letter, and argued that the virtual nature of the bishops’ June meeting would not be conducive to discuss the matter at hand.
“The serious nature of these issues,” he said, “makes it impossible to address them productively in the fractured and isolated setting of a distance meeting.”
“We strongly urge that the bishops gather in person regionally or by province” to discuss the Vatican’s letter, he added, before the conference as a whole were to consider a teaching document on the Eucharist.
Then in a May 22 memo to all U.S. bishops, Archbishop Gomez explained that their upcoming meeting will include a deliberation and vote on whether or not to begin drafting a teaching document on the Eucharist; the vote, he clarified, will not be on final approval of any such document. Furthermore, he said, the proposed discussion “reflects recent guidance from the Holy See.”
The proposed document, he said, would focus on the centrality of the Eucharist to Christian life. An outline of the proposed document, included in Gomez’ memo, included the teachings of the Church on the Eucharist such as understanding it as “sacrifice,” the need for beautiful liturgies, the works of mercy, and a call to conversion.
It also included a section on “Eucharistic Consistency” and St. Paul’s teaching that Catholics must examine themselves before receiving Communion. The proposed section would focus on the “nature of eucharistic communion and the problem of serious sin.”
Bishop Paprocki approved of the effort to discuss the Eucharist at the bishops’ upcoming meeting.
“I fully support the decision of Archbishop Gomez and the Executive Committee of the USCCB to proceed with discussion of the topic of Eucharistic coherence at our June meeting to authorize the Committee on Doctrine to draft a document on this important subject for debate, amendment, and vote at our November meeting,” the bishop said.
He joined other bishops, including Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver, who decried attempts to delay discussion of Eucharistic coherence.
“I’m deeply grieved by the rising public acrimony among bishops and the adoption of behind-closed-doors maneuvers to interfere with the accepted, normal, agreed-upon procedures of the USCCB,” Archbishop Cordileone stated on Tuesday.
“Those who do not want to issue a document on Eucharistic coherence should be open to debating the question objectively and fairly with their brother bishops, rather than attempting to derail the process,” he added.
Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver stated, “St. Paul is clear that there is danger to one’s soul if he or she receives the body and blood of our Lord in an unworthy manner.”
“As bishops, we are failing in our duty as shepherds if we ignore this truth and how it is manifesting itself in today’s society, especially with regards to those in prominent positions who reject fundamental teachings of the Church and insist that they be allowed to receive Communion,” Archbishop Aquila said.
The USCCB working group on Biden’s presidency did recommend a teaching document on the Eucharist, but maintained that any discussion of Communion for pro-abortion politicians must be included with the Church’s teaching on general worthiness to receive Communion among all Catholics.
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Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 5, 2016. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA
CNA Staff, Mar 13, 2024 / 12:00 pm (CNA).
March 13 marks the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as the 266th successor of St. Peter. Here is a timeline of key events during his papacy:
2013
March 13 — About two weeks after Pope Benedict XVI steps down from the papacy, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio is elected pope. He takes the papal name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and proclaims from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Let us begin this journey, the bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome, which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another.”
March 14 — The day after he begins his pontificate, Pope Francis returns to his hotel to personally pay his hotel bill and collect his luggage.
July 8 — Pope Francis visits Italy’s island of Lampedusa and meets with a group of 50 migrants, most of whom are young men from Somalia and Eritrea. The island, which is about 200 miles off the coast of Tunisia, is a common entry point for migrants who flee parts of Africa and the Middle East to enter Europe. This is the pope’s first pastoral visit outside of Rome and sets the stage for making reaching out to the peripheries a significant focus.
Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 2, 2013. Elise Harris/CNA.
July 23-28 — Pope Francis visits Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in World Youth Day 2013. More than 3 million people from around the world attend the event.
July 29 — On the return flight from Brazil, Pope Francis gives his first papal news conference and sparks controversy by saying “if a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” The phrase is prompted by a reporter asking the pope a question about priests who have homosexual attraction.
Nov. 24 — Pope Francis publishes his first apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). The document illustrates the pope’s vision for how to approach evangelization in the modern world.
2014
Feb. 22 — Pope Francis holds his first papal consistory to appoint 19 new cardinals, including ones from countries in the developing world that have never previously been represented in the College of Cardinals, such as Haiti.
March 22 — Pope Francis creates the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The commission works to protect the dignity of minors and vulnerable adults, such as the victims of sexual abuse.
Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience on Nov. 29, 2014. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.
Oct. 5 — The Synod on the Family begins. The bishops discuss a variety of concerns, including single-parent homes, cohabitation, homosexual adoption of children, and interreligious marriages.
Dec. 6 — After facing some pushback for his efforts to reform the Roman Curia, Pope Francis discusses his opinion in an interview with La Nacion, an Argentine news outlet: “Resistance is now evident. And that is a good sign for me, getting the resistance out into the open, no stealthy mumbling when there is disagreement. It’s healthy to get things out into the open, it’s very healthy.”
2015
Jan. 18 — To conclude a trip to Asia, Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manila, Philippines. Approximately 6 million to 7 million people attend the record-setting Mass, despite heavy rain.
March 23 — Pope Francis visits Naples, Italy, to show the Church’s commitment to helping the fight against corruption and organized crime in the city.
May 24 — To emphasize the Church’s mission to combat global warming and care for the environment, Pope Francis publishes the encyclical Laudato Si’, which urges people to take care of the environment and encourages political action to address climate problems.
Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 17, 2015. Bohumil Petrik.
Sept. 19-22 — Pope Francis visits Cuba and meets with Fidel Castro in the first papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II in 1998. During his homily, Francis discusses the dignity of the human person: “Being a Christian entails promoting the dignity of our brothers and sisters, fighting for it, living for it.”
Sept. 22-27 — After departing from Cuba, Pope Francis makes his first papal visit to the United States. In Washington, D.C., he speaks to a joint session of Congress, in which he urges lawmakers to work toward promoting the common good, and canonizes the Franciscan missionary St. Junípero Serra. He also attends the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, which focuses on celebrating the gift of the family.
Pope Francis speaks to the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 24, 2015. . L’Osservatore Romano.
Oct. 4 — Pope Francis begins the second Synod on the Family to address issues within the modern family, such as single-parent homes, cohabitation, poverty, and abuse.
Oct. 18 — The pope canonizes St. Louis Martin and St. Marie-Azélie “Zelie” Guérin. The married couple were parents to five nuns, including St. Therese of Lisieux. They are the first married couple to be canonized together.
Dec. 8 — Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy begins. The year focuses on God’s mercy and forgiveness and people’s redemption from sin. The pope delegates certain priests in each diocese to be Missionaries of Mercy who have the authority to forgive sins that are usually reserved for the Holy See.
2016
March 19 — Pope Francis publishes the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, which discusses a wide variety of issues facing the modern family based on discussions from the two synods on the family. The pope garners significant controversy from within the Church for comments he makes in Chapter 8 about Communion for the divorced and remarried.
April 16 — After visiting refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis allows three Muslim refugee families to join him on his flight back to Rome. He says the move was not a political statement.
Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, Feb. 24, 2016. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
July 26-31 — Pope Francis visits Krakow, Poland, as part of the World Youth Day festivities. About 3 million young Catholic pilgrims from around the world attend.
Sept. 4 — The pope canonizes St. Teresa of Calcutta, who is also known as Mother Teresa. The saint, a nun from Albania, dedicated her life to missionary and charity work, primarily in India.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2 — Pope Francis visits Georgia and Azerbaijan on his 16th trip outside of Rome since the start of his papacy. His trip focuses on Catholic relations with Orthodox Christians and Muslims.
Oct. 4 — Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to Amatrice, Italy, to pray for the victims of an earthquake in central Italy that killed nearly 300 people.
2017
May 12-13 — In another papal trip, Francis travels to Fatima, Portugal, to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. May 13 marks the 100th anniversary of the first Marian apparition to three children in the city.
July 11 — Pope Francis adds another category of Christian life suitable for the consideration of sainthood: “offering of life.” The category is distinct from martyrdom, which only applies to someone who is killed for his or her faith. The new category applies to those who died prematurely through an offering of their life to God and neighbor.
Pope Francis greets a participant in the World Day of the Poor in Rome, Nov. 16, 2017. L’Osservatore Romano.
Nov. 19 — On the first-ever World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis eats lunch with 4,000 poor and people in need in Rome.
Nov. 27-Dec. 2 — In another trip to Asia, Pope Francis travels to Myanmar and Bangladesh. He visits landmarks and meets with government officials, Catholic clergy, and Buddhist monks. He also preaches the Gospel and promotes peace in the region.
2018
Jan. 15-21 — The pope takes another trip to Latin America, this time visiting Chile and Peru. The pontiff meets with government officials and members of the clergy while urging the faithful to remain close to the clergy and reject secularism. The Chilean visit leads to controversy over Chilean clergy sex abuse scandals.
Aug. 2 — The Vatican formally revises No. 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which concerns the death penalty. The previous text suggested the death penalty could be permissible in certain circumstances, but the revision states that the death penalty is “inadmissible.”
Aug. 25 — Archbishop Carlo Viganò, former papal nuncio to the United States, publishes an 11-page letter calling for the resignation of Pope Francis and accusing him and other Vatican officials of covering up sexual abuse including allegations against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. The pope initially does not directly respond to the letter, but nine months after its publication he denies having prior knowledge about McCarrick’s conduct.
Aug. 25-26 — Pope Francis visits Dublin, Ireland, to attend the World Meeting of Families. The theme is “the Gospel of family, joy for the world.”
Pope Francis at the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Ireland. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.
Oct. 3-28 — The Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment takes place. The synod focuses on best practices to teach the faith to young people and to help them discern God’s will.
2019
Jan. 22-27 — The third World Youth Day during Pope Francis’ pontificate takes place during these six days in Panama City, Panama. Young Catholics from around the world gather for the event, with approximately 3 million people in attendance.
Feb. 4 — Pope Francis signs a joint document in with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, titled the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” The document focuses on people of different faiths uniting together to live peacefully and advance a culture of mutual respect.
Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, signed a joint declaration on human fraternity during an interreligious meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb. 4, 2019. Vatican Media.
Feb. 21-24 — The Meeting on the Protection of Minors in the Church, which is labeled the Vatican Sexual Abuse Summit, takes place. The meeting focuses on sexual abuse scandals in the Church and emphasizes responsibility, accountability, and transparency.
Oct. 6-27 — The Church holds the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region, which is also known as the Amazon Synod. The synod is meant to present ways in which the Church can better evangelize the Amazon region but leads to controversy when carved images of a pregnant Amazonian woman, referred to by the pope as Pachamama, are used in several events and displayed in a basilica near the Vatican.
Oct. 13 — St. John Henry Newman, an Anglican convert to Catholicism and a cardinal, is canonized by Pope Francis. Newman’s writings inspired Catholic student associations at nonreligious colleges and universities in the United States and other countries.
2020
March 15 — Pope Francis takes a walking pilgrimage in Rome to the chapel of the crucifix and prays for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. The crucifix was carried through Rome during the plague of 1522.
March 27 — Pope Francis gives an extraordinary “urbi et orbi” blessing in an empty and rain-covered St. Peter’s Square, praying for the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pope Francis venerates the miraculous crucifix of San Marcello al Corso in St. Peter’s Square during his Urbi et Orbi blessing, March 27, 2020. Vatican Media.
2021
March 5-8 — In his first papal trip since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis becomes the first pope to visit Iraq. On his trip, he signs a joint statement with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemning extremism and promoting peace.
July 3 — Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, is indicted in a Vatican court for embezzlement, money laundering, and other crimes. The pope gives approval for the indictment.
July 4 — Pope Francis undergoes colon surgery for diverticulitis, a common condition in older people. The Vatican releases a statement that assures the pope “reacted well” to the surgery. Francis is released from the hospital after 10 days.
July 16 — Pope Francis issues a motu proprio titled Traditionis Custodes. The document imposes heavy restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Dec. 2-6 — The pope travels to Cyprus and Greece. The trip includes another visit to the Greek island of Lesbos to meet with migrants.
Pope Francis greets His Beatitude Ieronymos II in Athens, Greece on Dec. 5, 2021. Vatican Media
2022
Jan. 11 — Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to a record store in Rome called StereoSound. The pope, who has an affinity for classical music, blesses the newly renovated store.
March 19 — The pope promulgates Praedicate Evangelium, which reforms the Roman Curia. The reforms emphasize evangelization and establish more opportunities for the laity to be in leadership positions.
May 5 — Pope Francis is seen in a wheelchair for the first time in public and begins to use one more frequently. The pope has been suffering from knee problems for months.
Pope Francis greeted the crowd in a wheelchair at the end of his general audience on Aug. 3, 2022. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
July 24-30 — In his first papal visit to Canada, Pope Francis apologizes for the harsh treatment of the indigenous Canadians, saying many Christians and members of the Catholic Church were complicit.
2023
Jan. 31-Feb. 5 — Pope Francis travels to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. During his visit, the pope condemns political violence in the countries and promotes peace. He also participates in an ecumenical prayer service with Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Moderator of the Church of Scotland Iain Greenshields.
Pope Francis greets a young boy a Mass in Juba, South Sudan on Feb. 5, 2023. Vatican Media
March 29-April 1 — Pope Francis is hospitalized for a respiratory infection. During his stay at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, he visits the pediatric cancer ward and baptizes a newborn baby.
April 5 — The pope appears in the Disney documentary “The Pope: Answers,” which is in Spanish, answering six “hot-button” issues from members of Gen Z from various backgrounds. The group discusses immigration, depression, abortion, clergy sexual and psychological abuse, transgenderism, pornography, and loss of faith.
April 28-30 — Pope Francis visits Hungary to meet with government officials, civil society members, bishops, priests, seminarians, Jesuits, consecrated men and women, and pastoral workers. He celebrates Mass on the final day of the trip in Kossuth Lajos Square.
Pope Francis stands on an altar erected outside the Parliament Building in Budapest’s Kossuth Lajos’ Square during a public outdoor Mass on April 30, 2023. Vatican Media
June 7 — The Vatican announces that Pope Francis will undergo abdominal surgery that afternoon under general anesthesia due to a hernia that is causing painful, recurring, and worsening symptoms. In his general audience that morning before the surgery, Francis says he intends to publish an apostolic letter on St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “patroness of the missions,” to mark the 150th anniversary of her birth.
June 15 — After successful surgery and a week of recovery, Pope Francis is released from Gemelli Hospital.
Aug. 2-6 — Pope Francis travels to Lisbon, Portugal, for World Youth Day 2023, taking place from Aug. 1-6. He meets with Church and civil leaders ahead of presiding at the welcoming Mass and Stations of the Cross. He also hears the confessions of several pilgrims. On Aug. 5, he visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, where he prays the rosary with young people with disabilities. That evening he presides over the vigil and on Sunday, Aug. 6, he celebrates the closing Mass, where he urges the 1.5 million young people present to “be not afraid,” echoing the words of the founder of World Youth Days, St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis waves at the crowd of 1.5 million people who attended the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal on Aug. 6, 2023. Vatican Media.
Aug. 31-Sept. 4 — Pope Francis travels to Mongolia, the world’s most sparsely populated sovereign country. The trip makes Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile border with China, its most significant economic partner. Mongolia has a population of about 1,300 Catholics in a country of more than 3 million people.
Pope Francis meets with local priests and religious of Mongolia, which includes only 25 priests (19 religious and six diocesan), 33 women religious, and one bishop — Cardinal Giorgio Marengo — in Ulaanbaatar’s Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul on Sept. 2, 2023. Credit: Vatican Media
Sept. 22-23 — On a two-day trip to Marseille, France, Pope Francis meets with local civil and religious leaders and participates in the Mediterranean Encounter, a gathering of some 120 young people of various creeds with bishops from 30 countries.
Pope Francis asks for a moment of silence at a memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants lost at sea on the first of a two-day visit to Marseille, France, Sept. 22, 2023. A Camargue cross, which comes from the Camargue area of France, represents the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. The three tridents represent faith, the anchor represents hope, and the heart represents charity. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Oct. 4-29 — The Vatican hosts the first of two monthlong global assemblies of the Synod on Synodality, initiated by Pope Francis in 2021 to enhance the communion, participation, and mission of the Church. Pope Francis celebrates the closing Mass of the synod at St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29. The second and final global assembly will take place at the Vatican in October 2024.
Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023. Vatican Media
Nov. 25 — Pope Francis visits the hospital briefly for precautionary testing after coming down with the flu earlier in the day. Although he still participates in scheduled activities, other officials read his prepared remarks. The Vatican on Nov. 28 cancels the pope’s planned Dec. 1–3 trip to Dubai for the COP28 climate conference, where he was scheduled to deliver a speech, due to his illness.
Dec. 18 — The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issues the declaration Fiducia Supplicans, which authorizes nonliturgical blessings for same-sex couples and couples in “irregular situations.” Various bishops from around the world voice both support for and criticism of the document.
2024
Jan. 4 — Amid widespread backlash to Fiducia Supplicans, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, publishes a five-page press release that refers to Fiducia Supplicans as “perennial doctrine” and underlines that pastoral blessings of couples in irregular situations should not be “an endorsement of the life led by those who request them.”
Jan. 14 — Pope Francis for the first time responds publicly to questions about Fiducia Supplicans in an interview on an Italian television show. The pope underlines that “the Lord blesses everyone” and that a blessing is an invitation to enter into a conversation “to see what the road is that the Lord proposes to them.”
Feb. 11 — In a ceremony attended by Argentine president Javier Milei, Pope Francis canonizes María Antonia of St. Joseph — known affectionately in the pope’s home country as “Mama Antula” — in a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. The president and the former archbishop of Buenos Aires embrace after the ceremony. Pope Francis, who has not returned to his homeland since becoming pope in 2013, has said he wants to visit Argentina in the second half of this year.
Pope Francis meets with Argentina President Javier Milei in a private audience on Feb. 12, 2024, at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Feb. 28 — After canceling audiences the previous Saturday and having an aide read his prepared remarks at his Wednesday audience due to a “mild flu,” Pope Francis visits the hospital for diagnostic tests but returns to the Vatican afterward.
March 2 — Despite having an aide read his speech “because of bronchitis,” the pope presides over the inauguration of the 95th Judicial Year of the Vatican City State and maintains a full schedule.
March 13 — Pope Francis celebrates 11 years as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis prays at his Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square on April 12, 2023. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Vatican City, Jun 4, 2023 / 06:45 am (CNA).
Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the victims of a train crash in India that killed at least 275 … […]
22 Comments
Cupich is running the show. Francis will make sure of that!
Let’s see the names of the other bishops who signed on to Cupich’s letter. And how about some investigative reporting from CNA? Who else is behind this? John Carr? Bryan Heir? Who at USCCB now is managing the outcome? It’s not Gomez? Where are Tobin, Gregory and Farrell in all of this? Let’s get some journalism going here and not just carefully manicured press releases.
I do not understand what is to prevent Bishops Paprocki and Cordileone (Strickland, others?) from saying something along the lines of “If you are an elected official who has voted for ‘abortion rights’, don’t bother coming to receive the Eucharist, not until you are ready to repent and publicly denounce that position.”
.
We read: “Cardinal Cupich noted the Vatican’s call for dialogue and unity in his recent letter, and argued that the VIRTUAL nature of the bishops’ June meeting would not be conducive to discuss the matter at hand.”
So, a lemming-follower of the “virtual Council” (marketed through the media) versus the real Vatican Council (found in the Documents), now protests against a “virtual” June meeting…How ever would Cupich commandeer the microphone as he did over the past USCCB President, Cardinal DiNardo, not so long ago.
Cupich should no more be a Cardinal than I should! He is a distraction to the establishment, when the USCCB FINALLY decides to do something. My God Bless him and keep him….far away from the USCCB! I wish he would just simply shut up! He never says anything helpful or in any way according to the Church Doctrines. He is a Cardinal??
It seems urgent that bishops address the matter of Public Officials who promote and support objective grave sin regarding their demand to receive the Holy Eucharist.
As Bishop Paprocki said: “This is not a judgement of the interior disposition of person’s soul, which only God can judge, but pertains to the person’s external actions in relation to objectively grave sins,” This matter can be handled urgently and separately. Archbishop Gomez’ proposal below is a stall tactic to draw this matter out as long as possible, so that Cupich/Ladaria et al can maneuver the outcome.
This should be separate and can be worked out later where they can again include the worthy reception of Holy Communion in that teaching document.
Archbishop Gomez indicates that “The proposed document would focus on the centrality of the Eucharist to Christian life. An outline of the proposed document, included in Gomez’ memo, included the teachings of the Church on the Eucharist such as understanding it as “sacrifice,” the need for beautiful liturgies, the works of mercy, and a call to conversion.”
Why is so much time being wasted by the bishops on a matter that has been settled by Canon Law for a long time? Their teaching authority demands that they do just that. Cite the Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and be done!
Exactly! Quit debating this. They’ve been “dialoguing” for over 50 years with liberal nuns, trying to get them to change their ways. How is that going? It’s time to refuse Communion to heretics like Biden, Pelosi, et al. If they don’t comply, excommunicate them.
The Statement should read, if you are a Baptized Catholic wo denies The Sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, and/or denies The Sanctity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, per Catholic Canon 750, do not present yourself to receive The Holy Eucharist, for you are no longer in communion with Christ and Hs One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church, due to your denial of The Unity Of The Holy Ghost.
If I remember correctly, among his “Chinamen” (Chicago-ese slang for one’s political sponsor(s); the New York equivalent is “rabbi”) in the U.S. hierarchy were Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (then Archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.), Cardinal Donald Wuerl (then Archbishop of Washington, D.C. – currently Archbishop Emeritus of same), and Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap. (then the Archbishop of Boston – currently Archbishop pro-tem (he turned 75 two years ago)).
In short, some of the most prominent of “Bernardin’s boys” among the U.S. hierarchy engineered his being made a Cardinal – the same ones, in fact, who had engineered his appointment as Archbishop of Chicago in the fall of 2014, though his name was most certainly NOT on any of the “terna” lists submitted to Pope Francis. They used their “clout” to persuade Pope Francis to override the process – and we Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago have been suffering under the vicious, madcap tyrannical reign of His Royal Highness and his jackbooted toadies and lickspittles (truly a cabal of evil men and women) ever since.
Cardinal Cupich wants the bishops to wait until they next meet in person because then he can pressure those on the fence face-to-face about “Eucharistic Coherence.” A virtual call renders him less effective because he can only state his opinion and argue. He can’t cajole.
“A virtual call renders him less effective because he can only state his opinion and argue.”
I’d suggest it’s even worse than that: he will simply state his opinion and then try to strong arm others. He won’t argue, precisely because he is incapable of good argument.
Among the greatest moral scandals, if not the greatest in the history of Catholicism is this pontificate’s determined resistance to clarify whether it’s for or against politicians clerics laity who openly support murder of the innocent to receive Christ the very Author of each slain innocent life. It leads one to believe it’s not at all concern with division, division already exists. And that based primarily on Amoris Laetitia, and Vatican tolerance of open communion to all whatever their sensitivities. This must be the final red line as to where the pontiff stands. Bishop Paprocki, among the best of our hierarchy, rightly insists on an affirmation of Church doctrine, while offering discussion with dissenters at the June USCCB conference. Thankfully we’re finally witnessing bishops strongly defending the faith. We pray they remain steadfast and prevail. What can a pontiff do if he disagrees, issue a decree? No pontiff has the authority to prevent a bishop from defending the faith, the very essence of his Apostolic mission as defender of the faith.
One can know through both our Catholic Faith and reason, that the fact that God, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, Through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, (not Caesar, John Locke or King John) Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage, And Thus The Author Of Our Inherent, Unalienable Right To Life, To Liberty, And To The Pursuit Of Happiness, is not a matter of opinion.
As I read this article all I could picture was the USCCB as a fibrilating heart. One chamber is pushing out of synch with the other chamber and nothing is getting done.
Less than 1/4 (67 including Waffle Dolan) of USA active Cardinals and Bishops support a long drawn out procedure on discussion of worthiness to receive the Eucharist. Surely out of the 207 remaining prelates there must be a hundred lions. Then again, Christ healed 10 lepers and only 1 returned in gratitude.
Past time for the lion-hearted to take courage in hand and fight for The Lord and his Church. St. Peter, all ye Holy Apostles and Martyrs, pray for us. Amen
Cupich is running the show. Francis will make sure of that!
Let’s see the names of the other bishops who signed on to Cupich’s letter. And how about some investigative reporting from CNA? Who else is behind this? John Carr? Bryan Heir? Who at USCCB now is managing the outcome? It’s not Gomez? Where are Tobin, Gregory and Farrell in all of this? Let’s get some journalism going here and not just carefully manicured press releases.
I do not understand what is to prevent Bishops Paprocki and Cordileone (Strickland, others?) from saying something along the lines of “If you are an elected official who has voted for ‘abortion rights’, don’t bother coming to receive the Eucharist, not until you are ready to repent and publicly denounce that position.”
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Kathryn, Nothing prevents them and, in fact, they have done just what you ask.
We read: “Cardinal Cupich noted the Vatican’s call for dialogue and unity in his recent letter, and argued that the VIRTUAL nature of the bishops’ June meeting would not be conducive to discuss the matter at hand.”
So, a lemming-follower of the “virtual Council” (marketed through the media) versus the real Vatican Council (found in the Documents), now protests against a “virtual” June meeting…How ever would Cupich commandeer the microphone as he did over the past USCCB President, Cardinal DiNardo, not so long ago.
Cupich should no more be a Cardinal than I should! He is a distraction to the establishment, when the USCCB FINALLY decides to do something. My God Bless him and keep him….far away from the USCCB! I wish he would just simply shut up! He never says anything helpful or in any way according to the Church Doctrines. He is a Cardinal??
a Saruman.
It seems urgent that bishops address the matter of Public Officials who promote and support objective grave sin regarding their demand to receive the Holy Eucharist.
As Bishop Paprocki said: “This is not a judgement of the interior disposition of person’s soul, which only God can judge, but pertains to the person’s external actions in relation to objectively grave sins,” This matter can be handled urgently and separately. Archbishop Gomez’ proposal below is a stall tactic to draw this matter out as long as possible, so that Cupich/Ladaria et al can maneuver the outcome.
This should be separate and can be worked out later where they can again include the worthy reception of Holy Communion in that teaching document.
Archbishop Gomez indicates that “The proposed document would focus on the centrality of the Eucharist to Christian life. An outline of the proposed document, included in Gomez’ memo, included the teachings of the Church on the Eucharist such as understanding it as “sacrifice,” the need for beautiful liturgies, the works of mercy, and a call to conversion.”
Who are the 60 bishops backing the Cupich stall ?
Why is so much time being wasted by the bishops on a matter that has been settled by Canon Law for a long time? Their teaching authority demands that they do just that. Cite the Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and be done!
Exactly! Quit debating this. They’ve been “dialoguing” for over 50 years with liberal nuns, trying to get them to change their ways. How is that going? It’s time to refuse Communion to heretics like Biden, Pelosi, et al. If they don’t comply, excommunicate them.
The Statement should read, if you are a Baptized Catholic wo denies The Sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, and/or denies The Sanctity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, per Catholic Canon 750, do not present yourself to receive The Holy Eucharist, for you are no longer in communion with Christ and Hs One, Holy, Catholic, And Apostolic Church, due to your denial of The Unity Of The Holy Ghost.
Who recommended Cupich for Cardinal??
If I remember correctly, among his “Chinamen” (Chicago-ese slang for one’s political sponsor(s); the New York equivalent is “rabbi”) in the U.S. hierarchy were Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (then Archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.), Cardinal Donald Wuerl (then Archbishop of Washington, D.C. – currently Archbishop Emeritus of same), and Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap. (then the Archbishop of Boston – currently Archbishop pro-tem (he turned 75 two years ago)).
In short, some of the most prominent of “Bernardin’s boys” among the U.S. hierarchy engineered his being made a Cardinal – the same ones, in fact, who had engineered his appointment as Archbishop of Chicago in the fall of 2014, though his name was most certainly NOT on any of the “terna” lists submitted to Pope Francis. They used their “clout” to persuade Pope Francis to override the process – and we Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago have been suffering under the vicious, madcap tyrannical reign of His Royal Highness and his jackbooted toadies and lickspittles (truly a cabal of evil men and women) ever since.
Former Cardinal McCarrick.
a woke leftist
Cardinal Cupich wants the bishops to wait until they next meet in person because then he can pressure those on the fence face-to-face about “Eucharistic Coherence.” A virtual call renders him less effective because he can only state his opinion and argue. He can’t cajole.
“A virtual call renders him less effective because he can only state his opinion and argue.”
I’d suggest it’s even worse than that: he will simply state his opinion and then try to strong arm others. He won’t argue, precisely because he is incapable of good argument.
Among the greatest moral scandals, if not the greatest in the history of Catholicism is this pontificate’s determined resistance to clarify whether it’s for or against politicians clerics laity who openly support murder of the innocent to receive Christ the very Author of each slain innocent life. It leads one to believe it’s not at all concern with division, division already exists. And that based primarily on Amoris Laetitia, and Vatican tolerance of open communion to all whatever their sensitivities. This must be the final red line as to where the pontiff stands. Bishop Paprocki, among the best of our hierarchy, rightly insists on an affirmation of Church doctrine, while offering discussion with dissenters at the June USCCB conference. Thankfully we’re finally witnessing bishops strongly defending the faith. We pray they remain steadfast and prevail. What can a pontiff do if he disagrees, issue a decree? No pontiff has the authority to prevent a bishop from defending the faith, the very essence of his Apostolic mission as defender of the faith.
Fr Peter Morello, PhD,
You well diagnosed the nub of the matter. Thank you.
One can know through both our Catholic Faith and reason, that the fact that God, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, Through The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, (not Caesar, John Locke or King John) Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage, And Thus The Author Of Our Inherent, Unalienable Right To Life, To Liberty, And To The Pursuit Of Happiness, is not a matter of opinion.
As I read this article all I could picture was the USCCB as a fibrilating heart. One chamber is pushing out of synch with the other chamber and nothing is getting done.
Less than 1/4 (67 including Waffle Dolan) of USA active Cardinals and Bishops support a long drawn out procedure on discussion of worthiness to receive the Eucharist. Surely out of the 207 remaining prelates there must be a hundred lions. Then again, Christ healed 10 lepers and only 1 returned in gratitude.
Past time for the lion-hearted to take courage in hand and fight for The Lord and his Church. St. Peter, all ye Holy Apostles and Martyrs, pray for us. Amen