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This revered sacrament of communion is meant to mean what the word means: with unity, with unity. The controversial debate at this week’s meeting of American Catholic Bishops threatens to make this sacrament a symbol of division and a political and religious weapon. I wonder what the Jesus who prayed: “Father, may they all be one” think.
The division among American bishops became evident shortly after President Joe Biden’s election, when the bishops’ conference formed a task force to address Biden’s public position in support of abortion rights, which collides with the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.
This week’s virtual meeting of bishops brought the issue to the fore as they debated whether to draft a document regarding the Eucharist. Some bishops argue that such a document should confront what to do about communion and Catholic politicians. The outcome of the meeting – an unbalanced vote of 24% against and 73% in favor of continuing the document – was as obvious a manifestation of disunity within the episcopate as we have seen, with some openly disputing question their fellow bishops. patterns.
Pope Francis is said to have declared: “The Eucharist is not a price for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and food for the weak. A letter from the Vatican called for “a deep and peaceful dialogue” and suggested that the bishops consult other episcopal conferences before making a decision on the drafting of a document on the Eucharist.
The sentiment of “pro-Francis†bishops like Tobin was not listened to. That 75% of bishops voted to draft the document, solidifying a real schism among American bishops that will continue to occur until their next meeting in November, when they meet in person for the first time in two years to debate and vote on the document still to be drafted.
The almost hostile display of disunity among the bishops has been disheartening for many of the faithful. Where, they wonder, was the anger of some of these “pro-document” bishops with the blatantly reprehensible behavior of the former president, who openly opposed the teachings of the Catholic Church on issues such as the immigration, capital punishment, poverty, racism and climate change, and who was cruel to the weak, the poor, people of color and people with disabilities? Where was their outrage when Trump attacked Pope Francis as “shameful” and a “political pawn?”
Yes, Donald Trump is not Roman Catholic and did not communicate, but is this the only litmus test we have to call politicians to act as moral agents? If they’re not with us, let’s say, who cares?
While I think Biden’s stance on abortion is politically timely and inconsistent with other pro-life issues he has championed, I think the issue of his receiving Communion is a private matter between him and his confessor. Can anyone else really know someone’s heart and intention? The reception of communion is in accordance with personal deliberation based on informed moral conscience. The person makes the decision, not the bishops or even the Pope.
In the gospels, Jesus chooses to eat more with sinners than with saints. His actions demonstrated that inclusion was one of the most effective vehicles for conversion and unity. The Body of Christ. Amen. It’s true. So be it.
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