Cardinal Egan statement on Rudolph Giuliani receiving communion

UPDATE: We received an email pointing out that this column by Robert Novak may have been the motivation for Cardinal Egan's press release Disobeying the Pope - HUMAN EVENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2008

                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

                                                            Joseph Zwilling

                                                            212-371-1011 ext. 2997

                                                            516-437-7931

The following is a statement issued by Edward Cardinal Egan: 

“ The Catholic Church clearly teaches that abortion is a grave offense against the will of God.  Throughout my years as Archbishop of New York, I have repeated this teaching in sermons, articles, addresses, and interviews without hesitation or compromise of any kind.   Thus it was that I had an understanding with Mr. Rudolph Giuliani, when I became Archbishop of New York and he was serving as Mayor of New York, that he was not to receive the Eucharist because of his well-known support of abortion.  I deeply regret that Mr. Giuliani received the Eucharist during the Papal visit here in New York, and I will be seeking a meeting with him to insist that he abide by our understanding.”

Comments

[trudy]

what about his divorces???? sheesh!

[tomfaranda]

This could be an important precedent - and it's good that the rebuke was to a Republican, so the Church cannot be accused of playing politics to help Republicans against pro-abortion Democrats.

[William Monti]

The list needs expansion.

[Nancy]

As usual, Rudy is just trying to show that he's the one wearing the pants.

[Catherine Adago]

I am glad that Cardial Egan spoke up. I do not think he speaks out enough, to put it mildly. However, lets not be too harsh on the Mayor. He has done a lot of good for N.Y.city and although he has had problems with his former marriage, it is clear his faith means a great deal to him. Yes, he does have to wholly allign himself against the evil of abortion. I, for one pray that he will.