Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Catholics are speaking out against Catholic politicians-- including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D) and U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle (D--Philadelphia), Madeleine Dean (D-Jenkintown), Mary Gay Scanlan (D-Philadelphia), Matt Cartwright (D-Scranton), Conor Lamb (D- Mt. Lebanon) and Mike Doyle (D-Pittsburgh)---  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 Pennsylvania politicians, describing their actions as heretical and damaging to the church.

“It is a scandal,” said Thomas Edmund Currie of Elverson. “They endanger not only their own souls, but also the souls of those who participate, those who fail to stop it, and those who observe it and assume that this is appropriate.”

“When they are given Communion, the appearance is tacit approval. At the very least it causes moral confusion,” said John Monastra of Quakertown.

“These politicians are a disgrace to their Catholic faith and should not receive Holy Communion,” said Jim Longon of Newtown. “Their bishops should explain to them that they put their souls in jeopardy when they receive Holy Communion when in the state of mortal sin.”

“I feel sorry for them,” said Nancy Forbeck of Oakmont. “They do not understand the truth and beauty of the faith they profess to hold. I'm also frustrated with them. Because they are public figures they influence others, contributing further to the lack of understanding among Catholics of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist and what the Church teaches and has always taught about proper reception of the Eucharist.”

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.