Faith and Communion

This is an example of why the pope is saying that we need to keep faith and praxis together. This piece attacking Bishop Robert Baker's position is an example of the confusion that exists out there. What does it mean to go to communion?



When you get down to it the common view doesn't even fit the "club" mentality for you would presume if you are a member of a club that you agree with the club's membership requirements. What I think is at issue for most Catholics who fantasize that communion is being used as a weapon by some bishops is their notion that "communion" has nothing to do with Communion--that we are free to remain individuals with our own opinions about everything and then just present ourselves at the take-out rail for Jesus--without any conversion on our part!



I write in my Advent Meditations today about searching out for the lost who Jesus says will perish if they are not brought back into the fold. In some cases we haven't done enough to seek out the lost, in other cases we haven't done enough to make some people aware that they are lost.



From The State | 12/07/2004 | Politics and communion



My friend Yvonne walked out of a Catholic church in Charleston and slammed the very heavy door behind her recently. The priest just had told the congregation that worshipers voting for candidates who support abortion rights should not receive communion, although he didn’t propose a Profession of Vote.



Charleston is my hometown, and I usually attend Mass there six or so times a year with my sister and her family. I was in Charleston the week after Yvonne’s exodus, and we commiserated about the latest twist in the Catholic church’s bumpy political ride.



It was my first trip back home since the bishop of Charleston, Robert Baker, announced that politicians who support abortion rights could not receive communion in South Carolina.