Church leaders must use same hymn sheet
Unfortunately, Dr Martin's woolly response that "the altar should not be used as a political battlefield" does not reflect the magisterium (Rome's) position on the matter.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Cult, articulated an extraordinarily clear church position when he spoke at the presentation of Redemptionis Sacramentum, which is a 71-page document of instruction on "certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the most holy eucharist.'
He said: "Senator Kerry should not receive holy communion because of his public pro-abortion stance."
The day may be approaching when excommunication from the Catholic Church could be an option in cases where 'Catholic' politicians in different countries (including Ireland) support abortion laws and other anti-family policies perceived to be outside their professed religious faith.
The differences in emphasis and essence between the two members of the universal Catholic Church hierarchy Archbishop Martin and Cardinal Arinze is not helpful for those of us who need guidance in the rules for the reception of the holy eucharist.
In Ireland, the Catholic Church is crumbling under the weight of clerical scandals, falling vocations, dwindling mass attendances and now the possible undermining of one of the sacraments central to the faith of millions of Catholics all over the world holy communion.
For this writer, it would be regrettable if Archbishop Martin were to become a darling of the media instead of a strong spiritual leader of the near one million souls now under his care. As a baptised Catholic, in a different diocese, I appeal to the 'diplomat' in Dr Martin at least to sing from the same hymn sheet as Rome in serious matters of doctrine and morals.
Noel O'Shaughnessy,
9, Boyne Crescent,
Mayfield,
Cork.
