Pope Francis does not administer Communion: new policy explained
May 10, 2013
Pope Francis does not distribute Communion when he celebrates Mass in public. Now Sandro Magister of L’Espresso explains this new papal policy.
In 2010, then-Cardinal Bergoglio remarked that some people who come forward to receive Communion “take refuge in the Church and do not live according to the justice that God preaches. And they do not demonstrate repentance.” The future Pontiff said: "I do not want these persons to approach me for a photo." At the time, Cardinal Bergoglio was speaking about employers who exploited their workers. It is difficult to be sure that such a person is an unrepentant public sinner, he said. Nevertheless he did not want to give such people an opportunity to exploit the Church.
The Pope’s reasoning applies to politicians who flout the teachings of the Church, for example by supporting legal abortion, Magister notes. Pope Francis will not be pictured administering the Eucharist to them.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
May. 11, 2013 1:02 PM ET USA
He is a good model for his Cardinals and Bishops and Priests. They are best photographed with those who are the greatest in God's eyes - the poor, the humble, the faithful - and the children.
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Posted by: Chestertonian -
May. 10, 2013 11:58 PM ET USA
Excellent! Let's hope the CINO university presidents and boards take note as well, and their respective bishops act to stop this disgraceful behavior. Excellent word, 'disgraceful'; that is the result they will see from their behavior: the loss of God's grace. "What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?" -Mark 8:36
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Posted by: -
May. 10, 2013 9:55 PM ET USA
I am loving this. Pope Francis is setting a bar that must have episcopal tongues wagging! Yes, AgnesDay, fasten the seat belts, sit back and enjoy the show! Pope Francis is a brave Christian.
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Posted by: Defender -
May. 10, 2013 6:59 PM ET USA
What of the other bishops? Don't they know the politicians in their dioceses? Then again, some bishops love to get their pictures taken with these "catholics-in-name-only."
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
May. 10, 2013 10:36 AM ET USA
Tough on the issues. It will be a very interesting time for politicians in the Church. I am fastening my seatbelt now.
