15 April 2004

The Irish Times
10-16 D’Olier St
Dublin 2
IRELAND

To the Editor:

The situation vis a vis US Senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and his eligibility to receive the sacrament of communion is a slightly less contentious than depicted in Mr. Kilroy’s article, “ Kerry defies prelates over communion.” In fact, neither the Archbishop of Boston nor the Cardinal of Washington, DC, the two dioceses in which Sen. Kerry resides, have issued any directive that the senator should not receive communion.

A number of right-wing Catholic fringe groups have called on the bishops in America to deny communion to Sen. Kerry and other prochoice Catholic legislators, of whom there are more than 70 in the US congress. It is important to note, however, that the US bishops have almost unanimously been silent on the issue. Only two have indicated that pro-choice Catholic politicians should not receive communion in their dioceses (Bishops Bruskewitz and Burke). The others appear to be more prudent, understanding that Catholics have a right in canon law to receive the sacraments and that there is no infallible teaching on how to vote on either abortion or other controversial issues in America, such as the war in Iraq or the death penalty.

Sincerely,
Frances Kissling

President, Catholics for a Free Choice
1436 U St. NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20009 USA