As part of its ongoing effort to focus attention on the scandal of Catholic elected officials who support legal abortion, American Life League is sponsoring a full-page ad in USA Today as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops begins its semi-annual meeting. The bishops are gathering this week in Albuquerque.
The ad focuses on Pope Benedict XVI's recent comment that according to the Catholic Church's canon law, "the killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving Communion, which is receiving the body of Christ."
The pontiff's comments echo Canon 915 of the Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law, which states that those " obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion." The ad states, "Since pro-abortion politicians continue to persist in their support for abortion, we persist in calling on every American bishop to enforce Church law and deny these men and women Holy Communion."
"It is my sincere hope and prayer that at some point the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will focus attention on Canon 915," said ALL president Judie Brown, "with a goal of unanimously agreeing to the fact that this section of canon law must be enforced by every bishop so that Christ will always and in every situation be protected from sacrilege."
American Life League is also delivering thousands of signed petitions to the office of Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, who currently serves as president of the bishops' conference. The petition notes that "the reception of the Eucharist by those who publicly support abortion gives scandal to the Catholic faithful and offends Christ." Mrs. Brown said the petitions represented "Catholics around our nation who are concerned because the USCCB has yet to take a unified position in support of enforcing Canon 915."
Today's ad may be viewed online.
Release issued: 20 Jun 07
