No communion for Joe Biden

Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs says that Joe Biden ought to know not to take communion at Mass. Sheridan was asked by the Colorado Springs Gazette if he would refuse the Vice President communion if he attended Mass with the Bishop.

DENVER, CO (Catholic Online) - The question came as the prospect of Biden visiting Colorado on campaign arose. During an October interview, Bishop Sheridan said, "He should know, and I would do everything I could do to make sure that he knows, he ought not to be receiving Communion."

Vice President Biden is a professed Catholic, but he has spoken openly of his support for anti-life measures including abortion. Together with President Obama and Kathleen Sibelius, Biden has stumped for the passage of Obamacare's Health and Human Services which provides free contraceptives and abortifacients on demand. 

The edict would also compel the Church, as well as other faith-based institutions and Christian individuals to violate their conscience and participate in sin by financing these abhorrent practices under threat of law. 

Kathleen Sibelius, who issued the edict at Obama's behest, is also Catholic. 

In 2004, Bishop Sheridan explained that there were four non-negotiable for Catholic politicians: abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. Biden has put himself on record as supporting the wrong side on each of these issues. 

The Bishop explained in his interview, "It's clear to me that the Code of Canon Law, Canon 915, says that a Catholic politician who publicly espouses positions that are contrary, not just to any teachings of the Church, but to serious moral teachings, should not receive Holy Communion until they recant those positions publicly." 

When pressed about the onus upon voters, he explained, "Voters needs a little bit more nuance, because there the question is, are we voting for those politicians precisely because of their positions on those non-negotiable issues? Here is what I would say: It would be very difficult for me to understand how, if there are two candidates quite far apart in their positions on these matters, I could vote for the one who consistently opposes these Church teachings, simply because he might be in favor of a few good things."

Ultimately, voters have a conscience, which should be informed by their faith, and this should be consulted prior to voting. There is no clear position within Church teaching that says someone should be considered in mortal peril because of how they vote, however, voting is a grave responsibility and casting a lot with Judas says much about individual character. 

While such voters may conceal their secret support for offenders of the faith, such as Joe Biden, behind a curtain at the poll, God is witness to everything. 

The message should be clear. People who support politicos that favor abhorrent positions also lend their voice to the practice of evil. Common sense suggests that doing so is a sinful act worthy of confession and serious repentance. 

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