He'll push it. He's in good company...
Posted on 07/03/2011 9:23:58 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
A senior adviser to the Vatican, who is a theology professor in Detroit, blasted the Catholic governor of New York for his strong backing of same-sex marriage, saying that he should be punished for his "brazen" violation of Catholicism by being denied Holy Communion — a key part of the Catholic faith.
He's also calling for the Catholic Church to investigate Gov. Andrew Cuomo for violating church law, calling the politician's actions a "danger" to faithful Catholics.
Professor Edward Peters of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, a consultant to the Vatican's highest court, hopes that punishing Cuomo would "serve as an example" to other Catholic politicians and clergy across the U.S. who might be considering same-sex marriage in light of New York's approval on Friday.
"I see no way, absent a public reversal of his public conduct, that Andrew Cuomo may present himself for holy Communion," Peters wrote Sunday on his blog. And, "I see no way that a minister of holy Communion may administer the sacrament to him."
Peters, an expert on canon law, confirmed his remarks with the Free Press today. He said New York bishops should make clear publicly that Cuomo can't receive Communion because of the "danger of scandal presented to the faithful."
Peters was named last year by Pope Benedict XVI to be an adviser to the Vatican's highest judicial authority, known as Apostolic Signatura. He is not an official spokesman for the Pope, but his views are heard at high levels in the Church.
This is not the first time Peters has slammed Cuomo for violating Catholic teachings. Earlier this year, Peters said that Cuomo, who lives out of marriage with his girlfriend, Food Network celebrity Sandra Lee, should be denied Holy Communion for what he called "public concubinage."
"I am already on record as believing Cuomo ineligible for Holy Communion on the basis of his improper living arrangements with a television celebrity," Peters said.
"But in almost every relevant way, Cuomo’s protracted actions in regard to 'gay marriage' are even more brazen."
Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist, refers to the wafers and wine that many Catholics consume during Mass that they believe are the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is considered an essential part of the Catholic faith.
Cuomo pushed hard to get a bill passed that would make same-sex marriage legal in New York. The state is considered by some to be the birthplace of the gay rights movement in the U.S. because of 1969 rebellions against police at Stonewall, a gay bar in New York City. Cuomo framed the issue in progressive terms, comparing it to past labor and environmental struggles. New York will soon be the largest state in the U.S. to allow same-sex marriage.
But Catholic leaders in New York had pushed back against the bill, comparing it to Communist rule. Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan wrote that "God not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago."
The marriage of "one man, one woman, united ... has served as the very cornerstone of civilization and culture from the start," Dolan said.
"Last time I consulted an atlas, it is clear we are living in New York, in the United States of America — not in China or North Korea."
But others pointed to polls that show Catholics increasingly favor same-sex marriage. A 2010 Pew Research Center survey showed Catholics in America are more likely than not (46% to 42%) to support gay marriage. Support increases among younger generations, with 58% of Catholics 18 to 49 supporting same-sex marriage, the survey said.
But, Peters said, Catholic doctrine is clear on this issue. And Cuomo should also be investigated for his support, he said.
A spokesman for the governor could not be immediately reached today.
What punishment could Cuomo face in addition to being denied Holy Communion?
It depends, Peters said. But one possible punishment, he said, could involve a public retraction along with "some form of public, religiously oriented, action of reparation such as direct service to the poor," Peters told the Free Press
At worst, Cuomo could be excommunicated, but that would be unlikely, Peters said.
Let the excommunications of these reprobate “Catholic” politicians begin!
While I pray for Cuomo’s sick soul, this is good news and needs to be done. It is time for Bishops to start growing a spine and calling out these dissenters publicly. As you correctly stated, this father/son combo has done more damage regarding important moral issues - it is time they are called out on it. In doing so, we just might be able to save the Cuomo grandchildren!
He and others who go against Church teachings should be excommunicated post haste. Same goes for Priests who give those people Communion.
Nobody is holding a gun to Liberal Catholics to stay in the church. Leave and the Church would be a better place.
The bishops let the colleges go independent and they were infiltrated by the usual suspects. Many bishops supported the gubberment as an enforced instrument of charity, subverting the role of the Church and resulting in drastically reduced donations to support Catholic schools.
Freegards
“a key part of the Catholic faith.”
A key part of the Catholic faith? The Holy Eucharist is THE key part of the Catholic faith!
http://tinyurl.com/church-says-must-refuse
To quote briefly from this authoritative ruling:
| "There are other cases in which Holy Communion MUST be denied, apart from any imposition or declaration of a canonical penalty, in order to respect the holiness of the Sacrament, to safeguard the salvation of the soul of the party presenting himself to receive Holy Communion, and to avoid scandal." |
| "The minister of Holy Communion may find himself in the situation where he MUST refuse to distribute Holy Communion to someone, such as in cases of a declared excommunication, a declared interdict or an obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin.” |
| “… when a person who has been duly admonished persists in presenting himself for Holy Communion, the minister of Holy Communion MUST refuse to give the Sacrament.” |
If you will just google “Canon 915” you will find a huge amount of material about this, not just in the impenetrable thickets of Church legislative language, but right out there in short words, in the news. The last time I saw a list -- this was several years ago --- there were 17 U.S. Bishops who said they'd enforce Canon 915. That's 17 out of a couple hundred.
http://lesfemmes-thetruth.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-vatican-judge-says-no-communion-for.html>
Where does your bishop stand on this? With the Church? Or not?
And what do you do when your own Bishop is ignoring what Christ teaches us through His Church?
Do like St. Catherine of Siena. Jump on him like a duck on a Junebug. Do not let up. For Christ's sake... GET ON HIS CASE.
Are there no Knights?
Have they no swords?
I am curious about the faithful Catholics in the parishes where this sacrilege occurs? How can they endure it?
He'll push it. He's in good company...
Yeah, but then they wouldn't be able to rely on the Catholic vote. (cynicism intentional)
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