US archbishop's memo bars Communion for political supporters

A US archbishop has denied that there is any special reason for the timing of a memo he published this week urging priests in New Jersey to bar Catholics from receiving Holy Communion if they are in a second marriage.

Archbishop John J Myers of Newark, New Jersey also ordered priests in his diocese to refuse to give Holy Communion to anyone who “joins or supports” any organisation which "publicly rejects Church teaching or discipline”.

While the memo, according to a spokesman for the archbishop, is aimed at setting out guidelines to priests over “same-sex unions and such” it also in theory bars supporters of major political parties from receiving Holy Communion.

In theory, the memo means that any members of the Republican Party - which supports the death penalty - and the Democratic party - which supports abortion and the death penalty - should be barred from receiving Holy Communion in the Archdiocese of Newark.

The Catechism for the Catholic Church states: “Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.”

But Pope Francis has been clear that the Church is no longer in favour of any form of capital punishment.  

Speaking at a meeting with the International Commission against the Death Penalty at the Vatican in March he said: “Today the death penalty is inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed.

“All Christians and people of good will are thus called today to struggle not only for abolition of the death penalty, whether it be legal or illegal and in all its forms, but also to improve prison conditions, out of respect for the human dignity of persons deprived of their liberty.

“And this, I connect with life imprisonment," Francis said. "Life imprisonment is a hidden death penalty."

These themes were reiterated when Pope Francis spoke to a Joint Session of the US Congress last month.

He told US legislators: “This conviction [to defend human life at every stage] has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty.  

“I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.  

“Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty,” Francis told Congress. “Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation.”

Archbishop Myers letter also went on to say that any parishes or other institutions of the archdiocese “should allow use of facilities only to persons and organizations which agree with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and its canonical legislation”.

Catholics, especially ministers and others who represent the Church, should not participate in or be present at public religious events or events intended to endorse or support those who reject or ignore Church teaching and Canon law,” the memo added.

Taking Pope Francis' teaching into account, this would bar Newark Catholics from attending any debate, rally or other political gathering of the two main political parties in the US, if they want to receive Communion.

The letter was issued quietly to parishes as Pope Francis landed on American soil, but has become public as the Synod on the Family in Rome discusses whether to allow some divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion even without an annulment and without a promise to abstain from sexual relations.

Archbishop John J Myers will hand over the archdiocese of Newark to Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark Bernard Hebda in July next year (PA)

The memo also comes as both of the main political parties begin a series of candidates’ debates ahead of their selection processes, which start in February next year.

A spokesman for Archbishop Myers, James Goodness, denied that the memo was exceptionally hardline on Catholic teaching, or that it was trying to impact on either event.

“With so much being generated in the media with regard to issues like same-sex unions and such, this memo about ensuring that Catholic teaching is adhered to in all situations - especially with regard to the use of diocesan properties and facilities - seemed appropriate,” Mr Goodness said in an email to the National Catholic Reporter.

“I think it’s clear that the archbishop was just following along as principal teacher of the faith,” Mr Goodness told LifeSiteNews. “And trying to support his priests and help people where they are.

“The only thing that should be read into this is the archbishop is trying to help reinforce Church teaching to help people deal with their circumstances,” said Goodness.

Archbishop Myer is scheduled to retire next July when he turns 75, turning over the reins to Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark Bernard Hebda.