A letter to the editor appeared in this morning’s Rochester Democrat & Chronicle newspaper in which a reader lambastes another reader’s concern that Andrew Cuomo, the New York state governor who resides with his girlfriend, received Holy Communion at a Catholic Mass in Albany. Here is what the letter writer submitted to the paper:

“Writer has no right to judge Cuomo

I’m amazed that anyone can be so judgmental regarding another’s spiritual practice (“The governor is living in sin,” Jan. 9 letter). Who is this letter writer to decide that our newly elected governor is both sinful and insincere in his practices? Gov. Cuomo has just taken upon himself the formidable job of trying to forge a new direction in our state, corral runaway expenditures, and help solve innumerable problems for New York state.

Can it be that he sincerely went before his Lord to ask for the help he needs, with a sincere heart and soul, and belief that receiving the Body and Blood of his Savoir would inspire and help him?

Nobody has the right to question another’s faith, practices and sincerity. Calling upon the Catholic bishops to condemn Cuomo’s faithful actions at such a time is the highest form of judgmentalism.

Remember this quote, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

—MARY ANNE ROUSE
IRONDEQUOIT”

While Ms. Rouse does speak some truth about judging others, the Church is quite clear on matters of public scandal such as Gov. Cuomo’s very public cohabitation with Sara Lee.  Prominent Canon Lawyer, Ed Peters, tackled this subject on his website. He cites Canons 915 and 916, which state “Those… who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion” (Canon 915) and “Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not… receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession” (Canon 916).

Here is Dr. Peters’ analysis:

Cuomo, on the grounds of his public concubinage alone (and setting aside complications arising from his strong support for legalized abortion, etc.), should not approach Communion per Canon 916; if he does approach, he should be refused the sacrament per Canon 915. Cuomo should still attend Mass, of course (c. 1247), and within one year of his last Confession he should duly receive that sacrament again (c. 989), but he should not be taking Communion while he lives in public concubinage. And if Lee is Catholic, the exact same analysis would apply to her.

Not only is there a clear violation of the Code of Canon Law in the situation of Governor Cuomo receiving Communion, but there is also public disobedience to the word of God as found in the Holy Bible.

1 Corinthians 11:27 says:

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.”

So while one could accuse the original letter writer of passing judgment, perhaps the writer is honestly concerned about the disrespect being showed for the Body and Blood of our Lord, as well as the public scandal created by Gov. Cuomo parading up the Communion aisle while living in a state of public sin and supporting such evils as abortion “rights” and homosexual marriage.

Tags: Culture of Death, Democrats, Politics, Progressive Drivel

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 at 4:58 PM . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.