Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Catholics are speaking out against Catholic politicians who are pro-abortion-- including U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee (D-Flushing) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn)-- 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 Michigan politicians, describing their actions as heretical and damaging to the church.

“They should not be presenting themselves for Communion if they have any value in the Eucharist at all,” said Thomas Herrmann of Lexington. “Church leaders should make it clear that they will not receive communion. It angers Catholics who actually believe Christ in the Eucharist and see those who have no regard for life receive him with no remorse.”

“When I grew up I was taught in Catholic school you cannot receive Communion if you're not in the state of grace. Meaning you're not sinning,” said Brigitte Miciuda of Sterling Heights. “Abortion is the killing of the unborn. Supporting that in my opinion is a sin. Those kinds of Catholics are in sin and should not receive Communion.”

“I don’t think the issue is as much ‘Catholic’ politicians,, but lack of leadership and authenticity within the Church. Our priests rarely speak about spiritual matters,” said Analise Ebaugh of Rockford. “People are hungry for spiritual food that leads their life. It will inform our voting and activism and political opinions and expectations of our world leaders.”

“It is wrong. They are public officials advocating/enacting laws for murder of the most innocent,” said Brandon Stewart of Grand Rapids. “Abortion is murder, against the 4th commandment. They are in a state of mortal sin..no way should they present themselves nor should any Priest, Bishop, Cardinal give them The Eucharist.”

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.