Cork TD ‘taken aback’ by priest's refusal to give communion at funeral

The priest told Mr Burke that he had refused to give him communion because of the TD's support for abortion during the repealing of the Eight Amendment

Minister of State Colm Burke was refused communion by Fr Gabriel Burke. Fr Burke stressed the archbishop said any politician who voted for abortion in Dáil Éireann was ‘co-operating with evil’ and should not present for communion. Picture: Youtube

A Cork junior minister who was refused Holy Communion by a priest because he voted in favour of abortion is writing to the bishop of the diocese demanding ‘clarification’ as to his status on attending future church ceremonies.

Colm Burke, Minister for State at the Department of Health, said he was “taken aback” when he was refused communion by Fr Gabriel Burke who was officiating at the funeral of a long-time friend of Mr Burke last Friday.