President Biden, who is in Europe for several high level meetings, is taking off the morning of June 15 to meet Pope Francis as President of the United States for the first time. The President's entourage had originally requested for Biden to attend Mass with the Pope early in the morning, but the proposal was nixed by the Vatican after considering the impact that President Biden receiving Holy Communion from the Pope would have on the discussions the USCCB is planning to have during their meeting starting Wednesday, June 16. The U.S. bishops are slated to vote on creating a committee that would draft a document about Eucharistic coherence.
It's not just about the impact blah blah blah. The Vatican refused to have the President of the United States take communion with them. This is not the first time he has been denied communion, but it is a denial by the mortal head of the church.
For non-religious people, this isn't a big deal; it's a ceremony that didn't happen (or will, but without the President present).
In fact, it is a big deal. I hope President Biden's soul is not endangered by persistent refusal to reform, though ultimately that is his choice and not my own. We should pray for him, as we ought to do for political leaders even when they are in less danger.
3 comments:
I pray that this be a moment that gives him pause, now near the end of his life. I'm glad you reminded me that this is our first duty.
What - does the Pope have a rule that only Catholics get to go to Mass with him?
Yes, but a workaround will be arranged for Joe here in the US. Just watch. The Bishops or Cardinals will meet, and a clever, reasoned explanation will be found to restore Joe's communion privileges.
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