By Judie Brown
The denial of Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden has captured headlines across this land and from nearly every corner. The question is: Why?
The answer is simple. Fr. Morey did something courageous. We know that Fr. Robert E. Morey, pastor of Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Florence, South Carolina, refused the sacrament to Biden because of his pro-abortion support. While the media tells us that Biden is a “lifelong Catholic,” the truth is that Biden’s Catholic identity is a sham.
A faithful Catholic knows that the act of abortion kills a baby. Therefore, he or she would never privately or publicly support abortion. But sadly there are far too many public figures like Biden who call themselves Catholic and who proceed to spit in the face of Christ at every turn by condoning a murderous act while claiming to have the right to receive the body of Christ in Holy Communion.
Fr. Morey denied the body of Christ to Joe Biden, who serves a demon that has blinded him to fundamental truth. For that we should pray.
But we should also be smart enough to praise those with the courage to defend Christ in Holy Communion. Morey acted in accord with Catholic Church Law, specifically Canon 915 which states that
“those . . . obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.”
Biden fits that description to a tee; he is obstinately persevering in manifest grave evil by his consistent support of abortion—a support that is a matter of public record. Not only should Fr. Morey be applauded, but we should see his actions replicated by many other priests, bishops, and deacons who understand that not only Biden, but any Catholic who in public life has demonstrated support for deadly sins like abortion, should be denied the sacred body of Christ.
What makes Fr. Morey stand out is not that he did the right thing, but that there are so few ordained men with the moral courage to do likewise.
Given that this is so, Cardinal Raymond Burke, in his definitive text on Canon 915, wrote:
The United States of America is a thoroughly secularized society which canonizes radical individualism and relativism, even before the natural moral law. The application, therefore, is more necessary than ever, lest the faithful, led astray by the strong cultural trends of relativism, be deceived concerning the supreme good of the Holy Eucharist and the gravity of supporting publicly the commission of intrinsically evil acts. Catholics in public office bear an especially heavy burden of responsibility to uphold the moral law in the exercise of their office which is exercised for the common good, especially the good of the innocent and defenseless. When they fail, they lead others, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, to be deceived regarding the evils of procured abortion and other attacks on innocent and defenseless human life, on the integrity of human procreation, and on the family.
Biden’s behavior deceives others, while Fr. Morey’s actions bring truth and love to a serious situation that jeopardizes Biden’s soul. Fr. Morey’s actions clarify truth and contribute to saving souls for Christ; Biden’s create spiritual havoc.
What a stark difference!
Catholic bishops and all those ordained to serve Christ and His Church should reflect upon these profound words of St. Pius X:
“The devotion to the Eucharist is the most noble, because it has God as its object; it is the most profitable for salvation, because it gives us the Author of Grace; it is the sweetest, because the Lord is Sweetness Itself.”
We hope the day comes when every Catholic priest and bishop emulate Fr. Morey in defense of Christ, truth, and justice. Enforcing Canon 915 is a duty, not an option.
We commend Fr. Morey and suggest you give him a call or drop him a line and thank him for his courage and his love of Christ, Who is truly present in the sacrament of Holy Communion.