Earlier this week, Bishop Tobin of Rhode Island was interviewed on MSNBC by Chris Matthews of Hardball.  The interview was in regard to Bishop Tobin “banning” representative Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion.  I just got to watch part of this interview today and was appalled.

First of all, Chris Matthews completely misses the point of the whole situation.  Matthews focused solely on the aspect of “the law” and the face that the Church should not be telling people how to write the law.  Matthews repeatedly berated Bishop Tobin with questions in regard to what punishment a woman having an abortion should get if abortion was illegal and things of that nature.  Matthews also stated something to the affect of “if you can’t answer the question, because you aren’t someone who writes law, maybe you should do more research before telling people how to write laws.”

The real issue at hand has NOTHING to do with the voting record of Kennedy in public law.  It has EVERYTHING  to do with Catholic moral teaching, and someone professing to be Catholic, going against the teachings of the Church.  If anything, Bishop Tobin is enforcing Church law, not telling someone how to vote.

The fact is this.  Representative Kennedy is stating that he believes what the Church teaches, by stating that he is Catholic and through the act or receiving the Eucharist.  The Eucharist unites us with the Body of Christ and the Body of Christ is the Church, of which we are all members.  By Kennedy receiving the Eucharist, he is saying “I believe in the Church, her teachings and in the teachings of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.”  However, if Kennedy believes in Church teaching, then he wouldn’t support murder through abortion.

To assist in abortion in any way, be it by bringing someone to a clinic, or supporting legislation in regard to it, is a grave matter and a mortal sin.  Being that it is a grave matter, by engaging in that activity, you have separated yourself from the Church and from sanctifying grace.  Basically, you have severed your relationship with God and turned away from Him.  Because of this action, you excommunicate yourself.

You cannot receive Christ in the Eucharist if you are devoid of God inside you, due to mortal sin.  If I commit a mortal sin, I abstain from the Eucharist because to receive in such a state is sacrilege and is sinning not only against Our Lord, but the entire Catholic community united in His body.  By committing a mortal sin, you remove yourself from the Body of Christ, and therefor, can’t receive the Body of Christ.

Bishop Tobin is simply re-enforcing a spiritual truth.  Kennedy has excommunicated himself through his actions.  Bishop Tobin is simply publicly banning Kennedy from the Eucharist for Kennedy’s own good.  The more Kennedy takes the Eucharist in his moral state, the worse shape his soul will be in.

The Church is NOT telling Kennedy how to write laws.  The Church is simply enforcing HER law, God’s law.  If you claim to be a part of the Church, then you need to abide by Her teachings and laws.  If you want to become a US Citizen, you have to obey the laws here.  Very simple.

If Kennedy, and other “Catholic” politicians want to pass laws in support of abortion, then they cannot be Catholic.  They can feel free to join some other church or engage in some other form of worship if they desire.  However, the point is, you cannot be in a state of mortal sin and receive the Eucharist.  You cannot be part of the Body of Christ and sin against it at the same time.  It is just a fact of life.

The Church has the right to enforce Her laws and teachings to protect the soul of the transgressor.  Bishop Tobin should be commended for his actions.  We should all pray for the soul of Kennedy and other “Catholic” politicians voting to support abortion.  We should also pray for Chris Matthews, who I truly believe has no idea what the issue is truly about.  This has NOTHING to do with US law, or the Church making US law.  It has everything to do with the Church enforcing her law so that Her members are protected.  The job of the Church is to guide souls to Christ and to protect those souls from further damaging their relationships with God and each other.