Catholic bishops have every right to refuse the Eucharist to Biden

0


[ad_1]

Regarding “Catholic Bishops Should Leave Politics to Politicians and Cautiously Advance on Communion Issue” (July 1): What about publishers and politicians who stay out of church business? Catholic bishops have every right to publicly rebuke those who stubbornly, persistently and aggressively promote serious sin, such as abortion. In this case, it turns out he is a politician.


Al O’Brien, Kingwood

Your recent editorial on the absolute wall between religion and state involves a one-way tunnel. On the one hand, you say there should be a separation, but you castigate the Catholic bishops for urging President Biden to be denied the Eucharist. Any church has the right to sanction any politician in religious activities. Just as schools cannot invoke prayers, ministers can refuse Communion to those they deem unworthy. That said, if Biden finds his Catholic priests too imposing, there is plenty of room for him in Episcopal, Lutheran, or other churches.

I will point out that on several occasions my priests in the Episcopal Church have been criticized for giving political sermons. These sermons generally involved ethical principles: it is not Christian to separate children from their families; it is not Christian to discriminate on the basis of race, creed or sexual orientation; it is not Christian to make homelessness a crime. They are, in fact, Christian principles. Priests have an obligation to prick our collective conscience. Priests do not have the right to tell us how to vote; nor do they have the right to tell us how much to pay in taxes.

This question is far from being as clear-cut as your editorial postulates. As citizens, we vote for people who have values ​​that we want to impose on society. These values ​​necessarily involve our theological and moral philosophies. Ergo, there is no clean cut here. There is only one amendment to our constitution stating that Congress will not make any law establishing a religion or prohibiting the free exercise of it. Your criticism is misplaced and simply wrong.


James A. Babb, Friendswood

The Catholic Church teaches that immoral actions are sin. Those who commit a serious sin, a murderer, a great thief, adultery, a member of the mafia and others would not be welcome to receive Holy Communion. This sacrament is reserved for those who lead a moral life. Abortion is the murder of an unborn human being, a grave sin! Therefore, President Biden, who supports this immoral action, is not worthy of sharing this sacred meal. To be considered a good Catholic, he must transform America and lead this nation in the defense of all human life, from conception to natural death!


Louis A. Shapiro, Los Angeles, CA Lifetime Democrats

Your statement that “what the bishops decide on who can take part in their sacraments is their decision” is correct and the media have no right to “contribute” to that decision let alone lecture the bishops in an editorial. You need to reconsider the appropriate topics for your editorials.


John Gill, Westport, Connecticut.

Clarification: Thursday’s editorial for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said President Biden has supported the legal right to abortion “throughout his career.” In fact, his support for legalized abortion evolved over the decade after Roe v Wade in 1973, a move he said went too far. Since 1983, however, Biden has supported the legal right to abortion.

County controversies

Regarding “In Harris County Plan to Hire Administrator, Republicans See Power Takeover” (June 29): Judge Hidalgo, Commissioner Ellis and Commissioner Garcia, you have been elected to represent your constituents. The public did not elect a director. The job is yours to do, not to pass it on to someone else. Have you suddenly realized that you are incompetent to run this country with your own talents and education?


JW “Jay” Wall III, Houston

So our county-level Republicans are upset because they believe the Democrats are taking over? Well, that may very well be the case. Indeed, it seems that the majority party, Democrat and Republican, is regularly accused by the other of such seizures of power. In Harris County. In Austin. In DC Recently, I saw the leaders of Galveston County join their brothers in Austin to get a head start on an issue important to them. This is the level to which the government of this country has been reduced. A sad situation. So while our county commissioners may be upset, they cannot be surprised. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If someone is expecting different behavior, they might want to go for it first.


Gene Fisseler, Houston

Regarding “Harris County Plans to Use Toll Road Money to Solve Flood Bond Funding Problem – For Now” (June 29): Perhaps her education is lacking. Those with the money do not tend to choose to live in areas that are regularly flooded, as they can afford housing elsewhere. The others have no choice.


Jean Tanner, Houston

Regarding “Does Harris County Need Police Officers?” In the fallout from the ‘stag party’ scandal, critics want to know. (June 29): We live in Clear Lake and within a five mile radius we have the Houston Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, Texas Highway Patrol, Clear Creek ISD Police, the University of Houston Clear Lake and county sheriffs and police officers. Sorry, I forgot Webster, Friendswood, Seabrook, El Lago police. God forbid, I left someone out for whom I apologize. Could we not have a central authority? Training could be done better, policies could be standardized, equipment could be standardized. The purchase could be standard. All sorts of things.


Tim Kavulla, Houston

[ad_2]

Share.

Comments are closed.