Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 12:40am

PopeWatch: Bishop Thomas Paprocki

Sometimes we forget that in the Age of Francis there are members of the clergy who are champions of  the Church.  I have only to look to Springfield in my own state to see a fine example:

 

Paprocki noted that Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law says those “who obstinately persist in mani­fest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”

“In April 2004, Sen. Durbin’s pastor, then Msgr. Kevin Vann (now Bishop Kevin Vann of Orange, CA), said that he would be reticent to give Sen. Durbin Holy Communion because his pro-abortion position put him outside of communion or unity with the Church’s teachings on life,” Paprocki recalled.

“My predecessor, now Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, said that he would support that decision,” he said. “I have continued that position.”

Paprocki explained, “Because [Durbin’s] voting record in support of abortion over many years constitutes ‘obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin,’ the determination continues that Sen. Durbin is not to be admitted to Holy Communion until he repents of this sin.”

“This provision is intended not to punish, but to bring about a change of heart,” said Paprocki. “Sen. Durbin was once pro-life. I sincerely pray that he will repent and return to being pro-life.”

The Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist confected by the priest at Mass is the literal body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. No Catholic who has committed a serious (mortal) sin is supposed to receive the Eucharist until he or she has repented of that sin and gone to Confession. Giving Holy Communion to a public figure whose sinful actions, votes, and statements prevent him from worthily receiving Holy Communion constitutes scandal in addition to sacrilege. Doing so can mislead and confuse the Catholic faithful. 

READ: Priest calls for excommunication of 14 Catholic senators who voted against late-term abortion ban

In addition to his ardent abortion advocacy, Durbin votes for and publicly advocates against other Catholic moral teachings. He is a strong supporter of same-sex “marriage”; the pro-gay Human Rights Campaign gives him 100% on their scorecard. He also earned a 100% from abortion lobby group NARAL.

Durbin has said anyone can be a Democrat as long as they support abortion – and that Democrats who “personally” oppose abortion need to keep that view to themselves.

He supports funding America’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood. In addition to aborting over 321,000 babies a year, Planned Parenthood prescribes hormone therapy for the gender-confused, dispenses contraception, and encourages sexual behavior that violates natural law – all of which are incompatible with Catholic moral teaching.

Ironically, Durbin was one of the senators who came under fire for asking a Trump judicial nominee questions that some scholars said violate the Constitution’s prohibition on a religious test for public officials.

 

Go here to read the rest.  Anyone can be a follow of Christ when it is easy.  The test is to follow Christ when it is difficult.  Bishop Thomas Paprocki is passing that test.

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Phillip
Phillip
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 4:42am

Given Tony Annett’s recent Tweet, I’m sure he supports refusing Durbin Communion. Annett will probably even call for an Interdict of the Democratic Party. Will Shea be far behind?

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 4:59am

Yes.
Accountability.
It’s about time.
Enact 915.

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 8:09am

For anyone who contends that 915 is an political tool never to be used, I would inform them of sixty million reasons why it must be used, before we have Seventy million reasons. Catholic politicians need to adhere to Church teaching or face the consequences. Pelosi is only one of many who need to be corrected or face the consequences. Local Bishop, man up for Christ sake.

ken
ken
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 8:28am

Please send him back to Chicago.

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 8:33am

Paprocki, and also Olmsted in Phoenix, are two exceptions to the rule in a very Dark Age of the “Church”.
..
Speaking of which, by contrast, Prince-of-the-Church Tobin (the Tobin of Newark) may have exposed himself once and for all, according to Mundabor, with a private late-night tweet that clearly was intended not to go out to everyone:
https://mundabor.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/bishop-tobin-or-and-now-for-some-gossip-and-unseemly-speculation/#comments

Remember, Tobin was determined to show off his “manliness” and “powerfulness” a few months back, working out with barbels at a gym before the NYT:
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/nyregion/cardinal-joseph-w-tobin-archdiocese-newark.html

Could it be that Tobin, like now-exposed Rembert Weakland, was another large, imposing man determined to show off his physical manly prowess?

Oh, I don’t know.

Frank
Frank
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 8:40am

Amen, Philip. Of course, the den of thieves and unrepentant sinners in Washington DC will never be treated in obedience to Canon 915 so long as the present Cardinal Archbishop remains there.

Philip Nachazel
Philip Nachazel
Friday, February 23, AD 2018 11:12am

Frank.
Wouldn’t it be glorious if Pope Francis, unknowingly through his own hubris, unleashes a tsunami of orthodoxy based upon his personal transformation of ideas which go against Church doctrine and teaching. This flood incorporates
Bishop’s who have been asleep at their post, Theoden of sorts referencing the King of Rohan, and now the spell lifted they become Bishops of Christ’s Holy Church..not dupe’s of the State.

Pipe dream?
Maybe……… maybe not!
Victory or death. May the Bishops choose Victory! May they choose Life.
To hell with tax exempt status. Truth will prevail.

Kurt
Kurt
Saturday, February 24, AD 2018 3:50pm

Actually, every village clerk who performs same sex “marriages” should be brought under 915 as well.

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