OTTAWA, May 10, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Vatican’s chief prelate regarding the Sacraments, Cardinal Francis Arinze, said recently that unambiguously pro-abortion politicians should be denied Holy Communion. In the United States, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops organization, which has undertaken a task force on the relationship between bishops and public figures, is considering sanctions for pro-abortion politicians. LifeSiteNews.com asked the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops about the possibility of any similar initiative in Canada.
Bede Hubbard, Associate General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, informed LifeSiteNews.com that “As for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, there is currently no plan for a similar task force, either regarding relations of bishops with politicians or the specific question of refusing communion.” Mr. Hubbard added, “However, the Bishops of Canada are closely following and discussing the various statements on this and related questions by officials of the Holy See as well as by bishops of various countries, including the United States.” See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage: US Bishop Aquila Warns Catholic Pro-Abortion Politicians They “Risk the Possibility of Hell” https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/may/04050704.html U.S. Archbishop: Life Concerns Paramount And Eclipse Any Other Considerations When Voting https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/may/04050401.html Washington Cardinal Attempts Denial of Vatican Cardinal’s Statement on Denying Communion to Pro-Abortion Politicians https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04043002.html Another US Bishop Says He Will Refuse Communion to Pro-Abort Politicians https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04043003.html Bishop of Fort Wayne Refuses Honorary Degree Because of Pro-Abortion Speaker https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04042905.html