Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010
Week of March 3, 2008
Archbishop may “draw the line” with politicians
By DEBORAH GYAPONG
Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa
Pro-abortion Catholic politicians attending church in Ottawa may find Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast will draw the line at their receiving Communion—if after dialogue they persist in their views.
At a recent Theology on Tap, Prendergast said he or one of his priests would have to know the politicians and speak with him or her first before drawing such a line.
He also said he would have to put the best possible interpretation on what the politician was doing and engage in dialogue.
No Eucharist
If that dialogue fails? Prendergast said: “Given your stubbornness on this particular issue, you should not publicly receive the Eucharist until you’ve changed your mind.”
“The bishop is not a policeman,” he said. “He is a father in Christ, a Shepherd of his flock.”
Catholic faithful can also play a role in letting their politicians know where they stand, Prendergast said.
“We all have to live our lives as faithful Christians in politics, in public life, in the schools and in every area of life,” he said.
“As I get to know the politicians I will speak to them on these issues and hopefully we’ll be able to make progress,” he said.
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