The Sconi

Wisconsin Catholics are speaking out against Catholic politicians who are pro-abortion but still present themselves at Mass for Holy Communion.

The Catholics were responding to a November email survey by CatholicVote.org. They were unanimous in their criticism of the Wisconsin politicians, describing their actions as heretical and damaging to the church.

“It disgusts me that the Catholic Church in America is unwilling to adhere to the teaching on this issue. If we aren't pro life, we are nothing,” said Christina Spindler of West Bend.

“The ‘Catholic’ politician who promotes child murder and then presents him or her self to receive Holy Communion causes great scandal and confusion among the faithful and if persisting in this evil and failing to repent will undoubtedly be eternally damned,” said Donna Rider of Germantown.

“I feel that politicians who publicly support abortion, should not present themselves to receive the Eucharist. If they feel they would be embarrassed to be turned away, they should refrain from putting themselves in that position,” said Mary Sullivan of Cottage Grove. “If they question ‘why’ they cannot receive, they should go to confession, learn of the graveness of the evil of abortion-- that is, the killing of an innocent life--repent of their sin and change their public stance on the issues of life.

“If a person preaches against Scripture and the Church, they should abstain from receiving the Eucharist. They are not a practicing Catholic, as Catholics cannot choose which of Jesus’ teachings to follow and which to ignore,” said Amy Banken of Madison. “If they don’t willingly abstain then they should be refused Communion by priests until they publicly convert their hearts. This is true for political figures as well as for private citizens.”

Since his inauguration, President Joe Biden has regularly pitted himself against Catholic leaders over Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and sexuality. 

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, head of the U.S. Bishops’ pro-life committee, has said “[President Biden] likes to call himself a ‘devout’ Catholic. I would urge him to begin to act like one, especially on life issues."

In September 2021, Biden frankly admitted that he does not agree with the Catholic Church when it comes to the sanctity of life. 

“I respect those who believe life begins at the moment of conception,” Biden said. “I don’t agree, but I respect that.”

A June 2021 poll conducted by CatholicVote.org found that an overwhelming majority of Mass-going Catholics think that Catholic politicians who promote abortion should not receive Communion. 

It found 83% of Mass-going Catholics believe politicians who oppose Catholic teachings "create confusion and disunity" and 74% believe that they should not present themselves for communion.

Speaking with America Magazine in November, Catholic Democrat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois complained of being denied Communion in his home diocese, near Springfield, Ill., due to his pro-abortion record. 

“It’s not a happy experience,” Durbin said, adding that he thought receiving Communion is “a personal decision” that should be open to almost “anybody if the person believes that they are worthy of it.”

The current U.S. Congress includes 158 Catholics, according to the Pew Forum. That's down from 168 in 2017 and up from 100 in 1961.

There are 85 Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House and 24 in the U.S. Senate. All are pro-abortion.