Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Catholics are speaking out against Catholic politicians-- including U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D- Toledo) and Tim Ryan (D- Warren)-- who are pro-abortion but still present themselves at Mass for Holy Communion.

The Catholics were responding to a November email survey by CatholicVote.org. They were unanimous in their criticism of the Ohio politicians, describing their actions as heretical and damaging to the church.

“I feel that it's scandalous for pro-abortion political figures, who identify as Catholic, to present themselves to receive Holy Communion,” said Bethany Grillot of Russa. “It sends the message that the Catholic Church might condemn the procedure, but it condones the actions of the individuals who support it.”

“For the Pope and bishops and priests to continue to allow Communion for public figures or anyone known to be in mortal sin is in my opinion a sin in and of itself and creates scandal in the Church,” said Helen Carpenter of Newark. “It sends a message to Catholics that the teachings of the Church mean nothing. The Pope and bishops and priests need to decide if they are shepherds or politicians.”

“Pro-abortion political figures who present themselves for Communion scandalize others, but the ultimate responsibility for this scandal rests with the Bishops who allow it to continue,” said Dan Hemmert of Sidney. “Confused and poorly-catechized Catholics get the impression that the Church's teaching on abortion is optional because these public figures are allowed to keep receiving the Eucharist, and Bishops don't correct them. That's not pastoral on the Bishops' part, and may lead to the loss of countless souls.”

“They are cultural Catholics, not believers,” said Jennifer Holt Grethel of Loveland. “Unfortunately, this causes confusion that hinders conversion to the faith - both from society at large as well as from our own kids who cannot claim the faith for their own. It is a scandal and a shame.”

Since his inauguration, President Joe Biden has regularly pitted himself against Catholic leaders over Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and sexuality. 

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, head of the U.S. Bishops’ pro-life committee, has said “[President Biden] likes to call himself a ‘devout’ Catholic. I would urge him to begin to act like one, especially on life issues."

In September 2021, Biden frankly admitted that he does not agree with the Catholic Church when it comes to the sanctity of life. 

“I respect those who believe life begins at the moment of conception,” Biden said. “I don’t agree, but I respect that.”

A June 2021 poll conducted by CatholicVote.org found that an overwhelming majority of Mass-going Catholics think that Catholic politicians who promote abortion should not receive Communion. 

It found 83% of Mass-going Catholics believe politicians who oppose Catholic teachings "create confusion and disunity" and 74% believe that they should not present themselves for communion.

Speaking with America Magazine in November, Catholic Democrat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois complained of being denied Communion in his home diocese, near Springfield, Ill., due to his pro-abortion record. 

“It’s not a happy experience,” Durbin said, adding that he thought receiving Communion is “a personal decision” that should be open to almost “anybody if the person believes that they are worthy of it.”

The current U.S. Congress includes 158 Catholics, according to the Pew Forum. That's down from 168 in 2017 and up from 100 in 1961.

There are 85 Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House and 24 in the U.S. Senate. All are pro-abortion.