A Perfect Sound, Pastoral Politicization of the Eucharist

Does excluding pro-abortion rights Catholic political leaders from Communion amount to "politicizing" the Eucharist? Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco does not think so - at least not in a problematic sense of "politicize." His recent pastoral letter, "Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You," carefully explains Catholic teaching on abortion, holy Communion and the responsibilities of Catholics in public life, including political office. An advocate of dialogue, accompaniment and private correction by pastors of Catholic officeholders who support abortion rights, Archbishop Cordileone nevertheless states, "Because we are dealing with public figures and public examples of cooperation in moral evil, this correction can also take the public form of exclusion from the reception of Holy Communion."