| Catholic PRWire

Comments

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

DOYLESTOWN, PA (February 19, 2009) – Pewsitter.com , a Catholic news web site, announced today that it is launching a nationwide “Withholding Communion” petition project - - to encourage the nation’s Catholic Bishops to withhold communion from prominent Catholics in public life who obstinately persist in their dissent from Catholic teaching on serious moral issues.

This nationwide Withholding Communion petition is being launched by Pewsitter.com, a

Catholic News Portal. The goal of the petition drive is to gather a least 1 million

petitions for presentation to the U.S. Bishops and the Vatican.

The basis for withholding communion is Canon 915, which stipulates that those “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.” Archbishop Burke, the head of the Church's highest court reiterated his view on this subject in a recent interview with LifeSiteNews dated January 30, 2009, in which he stated, "The person who persists publicly in grave sin is to be denied Holy Communion, and it [Canon Law] doesn't say that the bishop shall decide this. It's an absolute."
Most Catholics don’t know that, in addition to Canon 915, Canon law also compels Catholics to take action.” Canon 212 §3, states that the Catholic faithful have “..the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church.” It is based upon the duty imposed by Canon 212 that this petition drive is being undertaken.

While the Catholic faithful understand and support the behind-the-scenes dialogue and diplomacy that goes on with prominent Catholics, by the Bishops, to reconcile them with the Church -- when such dissent continues for years and in some cases decades - - in spite of the actions and activities that have been undertaken by past and present Bishops - - then it becomes necessary for a Bishop to take a formal public stand to prevent further scandal.
Unfortunately what has happened is that dissenting Catholics have continued to receive Holy Communion with impunity—and this has led to the false impression that the Church condones or at least tolerates such dissenting opinions on serious moral issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research to name a few.
Not only do these prominent Catholics disregard the Church’s teachings, but in many cases they actively and publicly promote policies and legislation that undermines, opposes and contradicts the Church’s teachings. An example of two such Catholics would be Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and Vice President, Joseph Biden.

For more information on the petition go to www.pewsitter.com/petition

	RATE THIS
	Was this helpful to you? Would you like to see more on this subject? Very Helpful Yes, I am Interested Somewhat Helpful No, I am not Interested Not Helpful at All