US Catholic Bishops expected to advise denying communion to pro-abortion politicians

United States bishops are considering formalizing their opposition to pro-abortion Catholic politicians receiving communion as they continue to speak out against President Joe Biden, a Catholic, over his support for abortion.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, scheduled to hold a national meeting in June, is considering approving a draft document that would advise Catholic politicians who support abortion not to receive communion. The consideration of the document comes as Biden continues to advocate for liberal abortion policies that directly conflict with the teachings of his faith, specifically, that all human life is sacred from natural conception until natural death.

According to Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, who chairs the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, advocacy for abortion constitutes a “grave moral evil.” Naumann told The Associated Press that “Because President Biden is Catholic, it presents a unique problem for us.”

“It can create confusion … How can he say he’s a devout Catholic and he’s doing these things that are contrary to the church’s teaching?” Naumann asked. The Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law teaches that those who are “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.” 

According to the USCCB website, “The body of bishops meets typically twice a year for a General Assembly to transact its business and address matters of concern within its civil and canonical mandates.” This year’s USCCB Spring General Assembly will take place from June 16-18.

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