Archbishop Cordileone . . . A Courageous Bishop Stands Tall
By JOSEPH MATT
This past week a prominent member of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church has given the world an example of true Catholic leadership in action. Duplicity and silence on the grave issue of defending the Real Presence against sacrilege can no longer be the norm, as this brave archbishop has shown us, as he has put words into action in the defense of the Eucharist.
One of the most public sacrileges against Christ Himself in modern times since the advent of Roe v. Wade has been Catholic politicians claiming to be devout Catholics — who regularly receive Holy Communion — all the while promoting and advocating for laws that allow the murder of babies in the womb. This, while much of the hierarchy in the Church has looked the other way or remained silent.
Archbishop Cordileone has made the courageous and proper act of witness to our Catholic faith as a true defender of human life and a defender of the Real Presence and has threatened to put an end to these obvious public sacrileges — at least in his diocese. This past week he issued a letter instructing the priests in his diocese not to distribute Communion to Nancy Pelosi.
Today’s Catholic Politician
Nancy Pelosi, one of the most powerful women in government today, has boldly, flagrantly, and proudly proclaimed her love and support for the secular “sacrament” of abortion (the murder of unborn children). She is also one of Planned Parenthood’s (largest provider of abortions in the U.S.) most ardent supporters.
In November 2021, many of Archbishop Cordileone’s colleagues at the USCCB, at the annual conference, reluctantly struggled with the notion of even suggesting that Catholic pro-abort politicians be denied Holy Communion.
The Catholic bishops dared not settle on a document that would outright bar the likes of a Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi from receiving Holy Communion — ultimately settling on a watered-down document which reflected much of what Church teaching already says on the reception of Holy Communion, but not addressing the ongoing scandal of Catholic pro-abort politicians who openly defy and ignore Church teaching on the gravity of promoting the sin of abortion and receiving Holy Communion.
As the Catholic bishops vacillated and dithered between producing a document banning Catholic politicians from the Eucharist or even considering whether such a document should even be procured, this brave archbishop crafted a beautiful document on the Eucharist addressed to his flock clarifying and explaining the Church’s teaching on the proper reception of Holy Communion. This past week, the archbishop acted on what should be clear to every leader in the Catholic Church today — after all, isn’t this clear to every properly catechized Catholic before he or she receives First Communion?
Archbishop Cordileone should be commended and supported by every faithful Catholic. Most of all he should be supported by his fellow bishops and cardinals — and many have supported him with kind words (see page 4B), but kind words are not enough — as we see — Pelosi was seen in Washington, D.C., receiving Communion this past weekend.
So the scandals will continue unless the hierarchy speaks and acts with one universal Catholic voice. This courageous bishop has shown us that words have to be put into action. He has provided an example of Catholic leadership as Christ has meant it. He will be vilified by every imaginable source by those insisting that baby killing is a natural born right.
Please pray for him and show him your support.
