Prelate says politicians who back abortion shouldn't go to Communion

Catholic News Service ^ | July 31, 2003

[NYer]

BOSTON (CNS) -- Boston Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley has stated that Catholic politicians who support legal abortion should not receive Communion of their own volition, but the church does not deny Communion to people approaching the altar, presuming they do so in "good faith." The Boston Archdiocese issued a July 29 statement outlining the new archbishop's position in response to a Boston Globe article. A July 27 Globe article discussed a 1992 controversy involving a Catholic politician who backed legal abortion when Archbishop O'Malley headed the Diocese of Fall River, Mass.

[As you well know...]

I don't think either of us can influence Bishop O'Malley and from what I can tell, he is a much better Christian than I can ever hope to be.

That having been said, I do think he had an opportunity to do great things. It is also true I am looking in from the outside and I could well be wrong and you could be right, but, I am waiting for one in Apostolic Sucession to cut loose and act as though he were Robert Duvall in "Gods and Generals" and act as though he was constitutionally (intended) incapable of compromising language in dealing with an enemy of objective morality.

I really ache to see such action. Don't you?

Maybe it is just me pining for the old ways....

[sinkspur]

I really ache to see such action. Don't you?

I do. But I want it to be for the sake of those who need correction, and not for the sake of you and me, who are self-righteously standing on the sidelines and cheering it on.

As for "Gods and Generals," my wife twisted my arm into watching it two weeks ago. It's a dreadfully slow movie, and I left it and came back to FR after an hour.

[NYer]

*I really, really don't like doing things that will embarrass folks in public. I don't even like to have to say things that will embarrass folks, or otherwise harm them in some way, in private. *

This was O'Malleys Installation Mass. His is coming into a diocese rife with problems and simmering like a cauldron. On Wednesday, he needed to set a tone and he more than accomplished that.

At least one of the abuse victims that accepted his invitation to the mass, had not stepped into a catholic church in 40 years. He was there to "hear" O'Malley's message and find hope. Others, however, chose to remain outside and continue to shout their disdain for what happened under previous bishops.

According to the trads, though, this was an opportunity to draw blood. Confront the politicians in front of family, leaders from other religious groups, sex abuse victims and the pope's representatives.

Did you not listen to O'Malley's homily or were you too focused on the pews, looking to beam a spotlight on Kennedy and Kerry? O'Malley, under pressure from some in the media, released the above statement regarding reception of communion. Kennedy got the message and left. Kerry, undaunted, remained.

As members of the SSPX, why do you even care? You already disagree with the mass O'Malley said, the distribution of communion in the hand, standing for communion. If O'Malley had denied Kerry communion, you would be complaining about some other aspect of this mass. Why did he say the NO mass and not the Tridentine Rite?

Which one of you would like to strike a match and light the kindling under the cauldron in Boston? You watch every move and analyze even the most subtle nuance as an excuse to put him down, along with his predecessors. My prayers go out to this humble servant who insists on wearing his Franciscan robe and sandals. He wasted no time in firing the lawyers hired by Cardinal Law while selecting a different team, ones who are more compassionate. But all you care about is the fact that Kerry received communion.

As Matthew points out in his gospel ...

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

11 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

12 He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

You are no better than the Pharisees who watched every move that Christ made and sought to trip him up.

[sinkspur]

According to the trads, though, this was an opportunity to draw blood. Confront the politicians in front of family, leaders from other religious groups, sex abuse victims and the pope's representatives.

Sitetest is not a trad, and I'm certainly not, but I must commend you for the above statement. It is right on target. "Drawing blood" is for the benefit of those who see the blood drawn, and not so much for the bleeder.

You are no better than the Pharisees who watched every move that Christ made and sought to trip him up.

Apropos. There's been way too much emphasis on the disappointment some feel over O'Malley's failure to kick some butt on his special day.

[As you well know...]

I do. But I want it to be for the sake of those who need correction, and not for the sake of you and me, who are self-righteously standing on the sidelines and cheering it on.

Hmmm, it sounds as though we may be getting close to agreement here. I would like to point out I am the least "self-righteous" man I know. I well know I ought to live in a Confessional

As for "Gods and Generals," my wife twisted my arm into watching it two weeks ago. It's a dreadfully slow movie, and I left it and came back to FR after an hour.

Clearly you are on the road to perdition. (just kidding). Duvall played the incomparable Lee as too old and unanimated but he did illustrate Lee's intellect,dignity, conviction,grace,humanity,courage ect.

What I wouldn't give for a Bishop Lee...

[NYer]

Newly installed Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston Sean O'Mally raises the Eucharist during Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston July 30, 2003.

(Ooops ... he's facing the congregation)

Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley acknowledges guests Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, at the conclusion of a ceremony installing him as the new archbishop of the diocese.

(What's that? A simple wooden crozier? How decadent!)

Bishop Sean O'Malley, center, blesses the congregation with holy water in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston Wednesday, July 30, 2003, during a ceremony at which he was installed as the new archbishop of Boston.

Pax et Bonum, Archbishop "Sean"

[As you well know...]

#8. Your words. "It is simply amazing that you can be so judgemental and still consider yourself a catholic..."

You are no better than the Pharisees who watched every move that Christ made and sought to trip him up

Ahem...

[sitetest]

Dear NYer,

Many of us who think highly of Archbishop O'Malley, and who wish him well, and believe he will do fine in his new position, are nonetheless disappointed.

The discussion would go little further here if there were not a stout defense of permitting public sinners who endorse radical evil to receive Holy Communion.

"This was O'Malleys Installation Mass. His is coming into a diocese rife with problems and simmering like a cauldron. On Wednesday, he needed to set a tone and he more than accomplished that."

And I understand why he did what he did. But I think it was a serious misjudgement. I think it would have prompted MORE healing as the faithful Catholics of his See would have seen that he was quite serious about all aspects of Catholic life.

"At least one of the abuse victims that accepted his invitation to the mass, had not stepped into a catholic church in 40 years."

I don't think that this person would have not accepted the invitation if Comrade Kerry had been privately told not to approach the Blessed Sacrament.

"According to the trads, though, this was an opportunity to draw blood. Confront the politicians in front of family, leaders from other religious groups, sex abuse victims and the pope's representatives."

Well, I'm not sure that anyone around here would call me a "trad", least of all the trads [trads, your thoughts on this question are welcome], LOL, but to me, it wasn't about "drawing blood".

It COULD HAVE been about saying, "A lot of things are going to change for the better here in Boston, and quick. And this is one of them. We will no longer humor politicians who are bad Catholics, who endorse the murder of millions, we will not longer avert our eyes when they commit sacrilege. If they wish to be Catholic, then now is the time for them to make that choice. If they wish to protect mass murder, then they have made their choice."

But heck, NYer, it wouldn't have ever come to that. Honestly, I don't think it would have been very confrontational at all. The archbishop blinked. If he hadn't blinked, Comrade Kerry would have. I don't think for a moment that Comrade Kerry would have approached if he'd been told he'd have been refused.

"Did you not listen to O'Malley's homily or were you too focused on the pews, looking to beam a spotlight on Kennedy and Kerry?"

I didn't see the Installation Mass at all. I was at work while it happened, and living in the Washington-Baltimore region, it wasn't available on broadcast TV later. I don't get cable. Coverage in the Washington Times was not extensive. I don't read the Washington Post, generally. What I know about it, I read here.

"You are no better than the Pharisees who watched every move that Christ made and sought to trip him up."

I hope that this isn't addressed to me. It is an insult.


sitetest

[NYer]

Jesus shared His first Eucharist with Judas, a man He knew would betray Him.

Excellent point! Thank you for making it.

[sinkspur]

Hmmm, it sounds as though we may be getting close to agreement here.

I prefer fraternal correction without an audience, without the air of humiliation.

[As you well know...]

Then why haven't you sent me Emails rather than publcly disagreeing with me?

[Land of the Irish]

Did you not listen to O'Malley's homily or were you too focused on the pews, looking to beam a spotlight on Kennedy and Kerry?

I did not have the opportunity of viewing or listening to the installation Mass; I was at work.

In retrospect, I'm glad I missed it.

However, I have read O'Malley's sermon and have been disappointed. I was even more disappointed when I learned Kerry was given Holy Communion.

I am a member of no society.

I do have problems with the Novus Ordo Mass, and thus avoid it when I can. However, I also acknowlege it as valid and lictit and I assist at it on occasion.

Any more questions?

[sinkspur]

Then why haven't you sent me Emails rather than publcly disagreeing with me?

I sense a tongue-in-cheek. If not, this is a discussion forum. And I'm not chastising you; we're talking over the back fence.

[Land of the Irish]

Who purified all those sacramental vessels, the sacristy dishwasher?

[BlackElk]

When you are right, you are right and both of you are right on this.

I do retain a good deal of hope for Sean Patrick O'Malley and I expect that he will do better as time goes by.

[As you well know...]

sinkspur..it was a combination point. It was both tongue-in-cheek and (at least intended as) instructive and I think you caught my drift.

I think Bishop O'Malley is a good Bishop. I just desire a Bishop who will not accept any compromises with the spirit of the times.

I read what Bishop O'Malley had to say about Cardinal Law's resignation and I literally felt physical pain when I read it.

I do not understand this world or these times and I literally do not understand what is so radical about my desires. My desires used to be commonplace less than one-half of one century ago.

[sitetest]

Dear sinskpur,

I'd still be interested in a response to #28, if it isn't too much trouble.


sitetest

[sinkspur]

I do not understand this world or these times and I literally do not understand what is so radical about my desires. My desires used to be commonplace less than one-half of one century ago.

To the man with a hammer, everything's a nail.

You have a hammer. O'Malley, I suspect, wants to wield a velvet glove.

"Your desires" mean you have to somehow have a thirst slaked, which is what I meant by "blood drawn" being for the benefit of the bystanders.

You want a little blood, don't you? Come on, you can tell the truth.

[BlackElk]

The persons involved in the New Orleans Archdiocese to whom you refer were then Archbishop Cody (later Cardinal Cody of Chicago) who excommunicated publicly the Catholic boss of Plaquemines Parish (County) just south of New Orleans (one Leander Perez) for his persistent public racism against blacks. Prior to his excomunication, Leander Perez, who was also a major construction contractor, was probably the largest single donor to the Archdiocese of New Orleans, usually in the form of fully completed new schools. Cody did the right thing. I believe that this happened in the 1960s.

[NYer]

Many of us who think highly of Archbishop O'Malley, and who wish him well, and believe he will do fine in his new position, are nonetheless disappointed.

As the expression goes .... "you can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time."

*Well, I'm not sure that anyone around here would call me a "trad", least of all the trads*

No, I wasn't referring to you.

*I didn't see the Installation Mass at all. I was at work while it happened*

So was I ... my supervisor, however, had an appointment so I watched it (volume turned low) over the internet. It was repeated at 10pm on EWTN.

He delivered his homily in 4 languages! Spanish, Portuguese, Creole and the body of it was done in English. The Offertory Prayers were given by representatives of just about every ethnic group in the Boston area.

*I hope that this isn't addressed to me. It is an insult. *

Again, it was not addressed to you.

All I ask is that everyone give O'Malley a chance to do what he has been brought there to do. His first priority is resolving the 500+ lawsuits pending against the diocese. As one news station reported:

Gary Bergeron, 41, who said both he and his younger brother were sexually abused by the late Rev. Joseph Birmingham in the 1970s, was one of dozens of alleged victims who were invited to attend the installation ceremony. Some chose to decline the invitation, but Bergeron attended with his parents.

"I think that his message was on target on all aspects," Bergeron said of O'Malley's homily. "Today is the first time I've felt a compassion from a church official in a long, long time."

Please cut him some slack! And, while you're at it, please read his homily. LadyDoc posted it to the religion forum.