This is a dishonest, inaccurate, deceptive, gutless statement.
The duty to deny Communion to public sinners belongs TO THE PASTOR of the congregation where Communion is being received.
There is NO special function belonging to the bishops and priests of the HOME diocese of anyone—except if the person is receiving Communion there. But when Communion is being received in the Archdiocese of Washington, then it is the priests (and bishop) there who have the duty to deny Communion.
Archbishop Raymond Burke’s complete treatment of this issue is available at www.tinyurl.com/canon915
Some key points on the application of Canon 915, including the point that the duty to deny Communion belongs to the PASTOR of the place involved, and NOT the bishop, are in this declaration by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts. Read it, and see how misleading and evasive Wuerl is being. www.tinyurl.com/pont915
With due respect, I don't agree with the conclusion you've drawn.
Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, made the following statement in his letter, "Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion,"
5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
(emphasis mine)
His pastor (implying at the parish (in the diocese) where he is registered) does not equal The pastor (implying the pastor (bishop) of the local parish (diocese) where he works).
You can see this, in that Abp. Wuerl has made a statement that he will support Bp. Finn's decree regarding Sebelius.
(BTW, don't think for a second that I am a Wuerl fan. I'm not. But I am glad to see some progress and some fortitude, no matter how small)
Gutless, I agree.
I wonder, how much cash is the DC church getting to over look the issue?
So long as there are NO consequences for their actions, why should the baby-killers refrain from the The Sacraments? Passing the buck won’t cut it. If he can’t be a Good Shepherd, at least Wuerl should be a man.