New Mexico Dem Says Catholic Bishop Denied Him Communion Because of Politics

A Democratic state senator in New Mexico said Saturday he had been denied communion by the Catholic bishop of Las Cruces.

So what

The role of the Catholic Church in U.S. politics has been thrown into question as the White House is occupied by a Catholic who dissents from major points of teaching.

Rejected

State Sen. Joe Cervantes complained on Twitter, “I was denied communion last night by the Catholic bishop here in Las Cruces and based on my political office.”

I was denied communion last night by the Catholic bishop here in Las Cruces and based on my political office. My new parish priest has indicated he will do the same after the last was run off. Please pray for church authorities as Catholicism transitions under Pope Francis.

— Sen. Joe Cervantes (@SenJoeCervantes) July 17, 2021

The response: A spokesman for the diocese told the Catholic News Agency the publicization of the incident was “unfortunate,” but that Cervantes had been warned multiple times that he “should not present himself for communion” if he voted for a bill repealing an unenforced abortion ban.

Meanwhile

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Church’s national advisory body in America, is drafting a document that many members hope will rebuke President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians for their support of abortion rights.