Saturday, February 21, 2009

Petition to Withhold Holy Communion

PewSitter.com

Text of the Petition

In the United States there has been and continues to be an ongoing disregard, by prominent Catholics in public life, of the Church's teaching on a variety of serious moral issues including abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, homosexual "marriage", and embryonic stem cell research to name a few.

Whereas, many of these prominent Catholics not only disregard the Church's teachings on these issues but actively and publicly promote policies and legislation that undermines, opposes and contradicts the Church on these serious moral issues.

Whereas, the Catholic Church has given the local Bishop, the authority to deal with such manifestations of public disobedience to the Church's teachings.

Whereas, Catholics understand, support and respect the behind-the-scenes dialogue and diplomacy that goes on by our Bishops, with prominent Catholics, to reconcile them with the Church and further recognize that as a Church, it is our strong preference to resolve such issues in private.

However, when such actions by prominent Catholics continues for years and in some cases decades - - in spite of the actions and activities that have been undertaken by past and present Bishops to reconcile them with the Church - - then it becomes necessary for a Bishop to take decisive public action, like the withholding of Holy Communion under Canon 915, to prevent further scandal.

Whereas, Bishops who do not withhold communion, or institute some other serious, public disciplinary action against such prominent Catholics that obstinately persevere in manifest grave sin, leave the impression such actions are condoned, or at least tolerated, and thereby perpetuate this scandal.

Whereas I, YOUR NAME, a faithful Catholic residing within the diocese of YOUR DIOCESE do find the reception of Holy Communion by these prominent Catholics to be scandalous; I fear that it sets an example that will undoubtedly mislead others into participating, condoning and justifying these same immoral activities.

Whereas, Canon 212 '3, states that the Catholic faithful have ..the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church.

Be it therefore resolved in accordance with Canon 212 '3 , that I, YOUR NAME, do petition my Bishop, YOUR BISHOP, to extinguish this scandal by publicly disciplining such prominent Catholics that reside within his diocese, through the withholding of the Holy Communion, as stipulated in Canon 915, until such time as they have been reconciled with the Church.
continue, if you would like to sign the petition...

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