Egan under fire over plan to deny Communion to dissenting MPs

THE BISHOP of Portsmouth has provoked criticism from Catholic MPs after saying that politicians who voted for same-sex marriage should be denied Communion.

Bishop Philip Egan said that instead of being punitive, the denial of Communion is “always an act of mercy” with the hope that individuals can be brought “back into full communion with the Church”.

Labour and Conservative MPs, some of whom opposed same-sex marriage, reacted angrily, telling The Tablet that the bishop’s intervention was “a tragedy” and that ordinary Catholics would be “appalled”.

In an interview with the pro-life website LifeSiteNews, Bishop Egan said: “When people are not in communion with the Catholic Church on such a central thing as the value of life of the unborn child, and also in terms of the teachings of the Church on marriage and family life – they are voting in favour of same-sex marriage – then they shouldn’t be receiving Holy Communion.”

Of politicians in his own diocese who backed same-sex marriage, he said: “I personally would be in favour of saying that somebody should not be receiving Communion.” However, he added that he would “have to act really with the other members of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales” and he called for his confrères to debate the issue.

A spokesman for the bishops’ conference said there were “no plans” to discuss the proposal at the bishops’ next biannual meeting.

Forty-seven out of at least 82 Catholic MPs last year voted in favour of allowing same-sex marriage when the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was passed in the House of Commons.

Catholic supporters of same-sex marriage included Conservative Cabinet ministers Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary.

Among the backbenchers to criticise Bishop Egan’s stance was Conor Burns, a Conservative MP who voted for same-sex marriage and whose Bournemouth West seat lies in the bishop’s Portsmouth Diocese.

“I think it is a great pity, indeed a tragedy, that this bishop appears not to have noticed that we have a new gentle shepherd preaching a Christ-like message of inclusivity, love tolerance and forgiveness. I look to the guidance of the Holy Father, Pope Francis,” said Mr Burns.

Labour’s Siobhain McDonagh, who also voted for the legislation, said: “There are some old-fashioned diehards in the Church, just as there are in the wider community. But most Catholics I know would be horrified if anyone was barred from Communion simply for voting to support other Catholics who are gay.”

Stephen Pound, a Labour MP who voted against same-sex marriage, said: “As a Catholic who happens to be an MP I am constantly fighting against the accusations of a Vatican ‘whip’ and to impose the most terrifying of sanctions in this way guarantees that the unthinking misconceptions that some hold of the Church will be reinforced,” he said. “Although I voted against same-sex marriage, I accept that there are some who will follow the dictates of their consciences on this, and to deny them the sacred Rite of Communion seems wholly disproportionate.” Bill Cash, the Conservative backbencher who also opposed the legislation, said it was wrong to bar MPs from taking Communion based on how they voted. “I disapprove of same-sex marriage, but when it comes to Communion I would never interfere with people’s consciences.”

No Catholic MP contacted by The Tablet backed the bishop’s comments.

Francis Davis, a Catholic commentator who has been both a trustee at the Diocese of Plymouth and a ministerial adviser, said: “Bishop Egan means well. But we live in a democracy and the Church didn’t elect our MPs.”

Meanwhile, in a Lenten pastoral letter, Bishop Egan instructs believers to examine their consciences regarding the Eighth Commandment – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour” – in today’s internet age. He writes: “How do I use Facebook or Twitter? Am I charitable when blogging? Do I revel in other people’s ­
failings?”