Burke, politics and Communion — do you agree with him?
St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke made world news in the 2004 election when he said he would withhold Holy Communion from John Kerry because the presidential candidate’s politics were not in line with the Catholic Church’s views on abortion.
Now, along with a host of Democrats, there’s a Republican Catholic in the race (Rudy Giuliani) who doesn’t line up with the Church on abortion. And Burke’s raised the issue again. “That is a cause of concern for me and for all bishops to find ourselves in this situation,” Burke told the Post-Dispatch. (Here’s a link to the story.)
In fact, Burke intends to push the nation’s bishops to adopt his position in a document on political responsibility they will issue to Catholics before the election.
Communion is a central rite of the Church. Withholding it sends a powerful message to a church member. And why shouldn’t Burke withhold it, if he believes the churchgoer isn’t in line with church teaching? Isn’t that the right of church leaders?
On the other hand, perhaps it is unreasonable to expect a person’s politics to align with church teaching on every issue.
What do you think?
Kurt is the director of social media for the Post-Dispatch, where he has worked since August 2002. He's been a journalist since 1982, covering municipal government, courts, education and two hurricanes as a reporter before becoming an editor. 
The Catholic Church is so one-note on this. Why don’t they look at other stances held by politicians that also might conflict with their church’s teachings–things like death penalty, care for the poor, etc.?
Ray Burke is a nazi
I think that if Burke is so interested in politics, he should run for office instead of attempting to influence politics from the pulpit. Besides, if the past decade of politics has taught us nothing, it is that, generally speaking, politicians are a special sort of soulless scum. The only difference between the Gingritches, Clintons, DeLays, Craigs, Jeffersons, Neys, Trafficants, Lewises, Renzies, and Cuninghams in Congress and the rest of ‘em is that the rest of ‘em haven’t been caught (yet).
Paying lip service to those issues that garner votes from the “values voters” crowd is pretty easy. Living a life that adheres to those standards (especially in today’s political climate): not so much.
Politics aside, this just sounds like another steaming load of grandstanding garbage from His Royal Majesty anyway. Does he honestly believe that the vast majority of the rest of the non-politician lot of Catholic worshipers both believe and adhere to every single view held by the Catholic Church? Is any other class of churchgoer — public or private figures — being singled out?
And, just for total snark, wasn’t the Pope very publicly against that whole Iraq War thingy? Will Communion be denied to any who voted for (and/or continue to support) the war? Why not?
I would agree with suzyjax: If they’re going withhold communion from Abortion Rights activists, what about Death Penalty supporters, Iraq War supporters, and any others who wander away from established Doctrine?
As an Episcopalian I love it every time Burke opens his mouth. He is our best recruiter in a generation!
Oh well - who will the God Squads vote for now? Hillary? Father Coughlin’s corpse? All things aside in this political year, this is just one more reason why I don’t date catholic chix. I might drink with ‘em, but I won’t date ‘em.
Wonder how much Burke and Torquemada have in common? Something like, “If you have an abortion, I’ll ruin you” whereas Torky would’ve said, “If you don’t become Christian, I’ll pull your arms off.” It’d be nice if the rank and file Catholics would withhold their support until their church joined the twenty-first century and quit trying to take over the government. On the other hand, most patriots are only patriotic when it’s easy like not giving up their gas hogs to help stop terrorism support.
The man is a complete idiot. He needs to get a real life.
Wait…don’t tell the religious right their nomination is pro-choice….I am interested in what they think about this…What is this going to do for the one issue voter…he/she may actually have to evaluate real issues for once…economy..budget..domestic issues..etc..
Yeah! Down with the one-note complete idiot Torquemada Nazi God Squader! Power to the people! People shouldn’t be forced to be Catholic! That papist shouldn’t be allowed to control us!
Oh, wait… people aren’t forced to be Catholic? There’s freedom of speech and religion in this country? Then maybe all this pile-on ranting and name-calling says as much or more about those who post than it does about the Archbishop.
(Richard (#5) - Just curious, if Abp. Burke is your best recruiter in a generation, can you explain why the Catholic Church continues to gain members while the Episcopal Church seems to be hemorraging them?)