Monday, December 8, 2008

Bishop Gives Biden Bailout and Discounts Eucharist?

Joe Biden’s Bishop Expands on Decision Not to Deny Communion Over Abortion
by Steven ErteltLifeNews.com

Dover, DE (LifeNews.com) -- Bishop W. Francis Malooly has expanded on his previous comments that he will not deny communion to incoming Vice-President Joe Biden because of his pro-abortion position. Malooly says he can do more good by not alienating Biden and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians.
"My own conscience tells me I have a better chance of helping someone if I don't alienate" that person, he said during a conference for young Catholics over the weekend.

Bishop Malooly said he was following the lead of most of the other Catholics bishops in the United States who have not revoked the sacrament for pro-abortion elected officials and have instead adopted a more conciliatory approach to changing their hearts and minds on abortion.

According to a report in the Wilmington News-Journal, Bishop Malooly, who was recently installed as the head of the Catholic Church in Delaware and Maryland’s eastern shore, said his dealing with pro-abortion politicians who deviate from pro-life Catholic teachings is nothing new.
He said as the auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore that he dealt with the contentious communion issues.

Malooly told the newspaper that "I don't know everyone's conscience” and can't make decisions about abortion and communion on a broad basis but must confront people who are out of step with the church one-on-one.
Last month, Malooly said he wouldn't deny Biden communion even though several of his fellow bishops have done so.

"I won't politicize the Eucharist," Malooly said. "I don't want to alienate people. I want to change their hearts and minds."

Malooly said he spoke with Biden in September on the day before his installation as the new bishop and the two agreed to discuss the issue of abortion and Catholic pro-life teachings at a later date.
Biden attends church weekly and has received communion at his hometown church in Delaware.