Tuesday, November 11, 2003, the USCCB attempted to consider which Catholic politicians who dissent from Magisterial teachings should be denied the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Catholic World News reported ' Some bishops didn't want to limit the issues to abortion, but also wanted to include "the use of the death penalty, questions of war and peace, the role of marriage and family, the rights of parents to choose the best education for their children, the priority for the poor, and welcome for immigrants" among the criteria for judging the politicians.' What was surprising to many of us watching from the pews was the resurrection of the late Cd. Joseph Bernardin's social 'seamless garment' theory that seemingly will haunt us until the end of time.

Do these above mentioned social issues constitute mortal sin and grounds for excommunication in the same way that Abortion/Euthanasia do? Are these other human issues to be classed in the same category as infallible teachings in faith and morals? Or, are our U.S. Bishops creating a diversion against Canon Law 915?

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin was general secretary of the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) from 1968 to 1972 and its president from 1974 to 1977. His famous initiative for a 'seamless garment' or 'consistent ethic of life' was introduced at a lecture at Fordham University in New York and was to have important ramifications for the development of a Catholic bioethic in America.

For over two decades, Bernardin's flawed quality of life theory has provided 'cover' for countless pro abort politicians to falsely claim they're pro life (Cuomoism) and has enabled Catholic University academics to support abortion. Still today, Bernardin's theory lures perhaps tens of thousands of Catholics at each election to support and vote for the pro abortion candidates of their choice. Bernardin is still in control of the direction of the 'American Church.'

The 'Single Issue' of Abortion/Euthanasia is being diluted once again by the politically correct U.S. Bishops with other human sustenance issues; i.e., housing, global warming, war, capital punishment (holy criminy, they forgot to include gun control) as if they were somehow equal. In fact, none of the other issues could exist without the right to life issue of Abortion/Euthanasia. All other issues affirm this one single issue.

The Abortion/ Euthanasia issue is most unique; it involves the killing of the innocent. The USCCB are sure to hide that fact in their PC assessment of who should be denied sacrilegious Holy Communion. Forgetting Canon Law, which requires them to enforce restrictions against reception of the Eucharist, the U.S. Bishops are going to show us laity that we can't tell them how to conduct their affairs.

The true Catholic position on Abortion/Euthanasia admonishes us to hold it to a heroic degree. This one, single issue is decisive and defining and nothing is more important than the preserving the life of the innocent. Anyone, be it a politician, an abortion mill worker, a murderous doctor or nurse, who formally promotes or provides legislation or medical service for Abortion/Euthanasia must be denied Holy Communion. This issue must first be clearly defined by the U.S. Bishops. No other issues carry the same burden as Abortion/Euthanasia.

So, will we once again see tree hugging Bernardin Legacy followers beating a dead horse, animating 'seamless garment' propaganda, while erroneously teaching that "Everyone has a right to receive Communion. We cannot judge; only Jesus can judge their worthiness?" That surely would put the kabash on our God given duty to make rational judgments against good and evil, right and wrong. And, it would undermine and deeply compromises those courageous hard working Catholics politicians who truly are 'pro life.'

It's not hard to decide who receives Holy Communion, so why muddy the waters with countless confusing issues. Catholics who are obstinate manifest (public) sinners (and not just politicians), 'who persist in grave sins are not to be admitted to reception of the Eucharist.' (Canon 915). Furthermore, "A common excommunication is automatically incurred by receiving or participating in an abortion" (c. 1398) Finis.