TO THE EDITOR:
A logical next step for Father Bucci and Bishop Tobin, after refusing the Eucharist (as well as the roles of lector, godparents, etc.) to pro-choice politicians, would be to do the same for those who support U.S. wars. Modern wars inevitably produce mass abortions which are not chosen by the mothers, who are killed as well. Being pro-choice on war favors war, the same as being pro-choice on abortion favors abortion. There is no separating war and abortion. That is why Bishop John Botean taught most authoritatively (in his diocese) that direct participation in the Iraq War “is the moral equivalent of direct participation in an abortion.”
In the year of the Eucharist, 2005, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Pontifical Household for many years, gave a Good Friday sermon in which he said, “The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Nonviolence.”
With this understanding, we should be careful to examine the “beam” in our own eye before denying the Eucharist to others.
There is no justified abortion or war discernable in the life ethic of Jesus as presented in the Gospel. Jesus teaches that, in order to inherit eternal life, “you must not kill,” the first Commandment mentioned in Matthew and Mark in Jesus’ response to a young man’s question. In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands that his disciples “love your enemies.” Luke’s version gives the command twice. Agape, love without violence, is Jesus’ teaching, way and commandment, clearly discernible throughout the Gospel.
Nine Catholic soldiers from Rhode Island are listed as casualties of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan according to: www.thecatholiccostofwar.org. There is no indication that anyone was refused the Eucharist or a role in the funeral liturgy because they had participated in or supported our unjust wars with their mass abortions.
When the Church does away with “Christian” Just War Theory (CJWT), perhaps hearts and minds will change and few will continue to advocate just abortion theories. I don’t believe Father Bucci’s single issue, authoritarian approach will change many minds in the meantime.
Mark Scibilia-Carver, Trumansburg, N.Y.
