In a move reminiscent of past efforts to bring pro-choice Catholic politicians in line with church policies, Chicago Archbishop Francis Cardinal George is considering denying Communion to those Catholics who publicly support same-sex marriage.
This would include Mayor Richard Daley and many other pro-gay pols in Chicago.
'Is he also considering denying Communion to those Catholics who are only civilly married, those Catholics who are divorced and remarried, those Catholics who practice birth control, and those Catholics who have participated in the carrying out of the death penalty? All activities contrary to Church teaching,' said Catholic gay activist Rick Garcia.
'Is he willing to deny Communion to those Catholics who publicly eat meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday? Those Catholics who work for companies that make weapons of mass destruction? Again, all contrary to Church teaching,' Garcia said. 'The cardinal's position is based more on rank anti-gay sentiment than on a desire to uphold Church teaching. His Eminence hired, housed, financed and protected convicted sexual predators. Did he deny any of them Communion? Did he even speak out against them? No. He hired, financed and protected them. I want to be at the Pearly Gates to witness his attempt to enter.'
George made his anti-gay comments during a Holy Week speech at the City Club. The Cardinal met with Mayor Daley after the mayor said he backs same-sex marriage, but George refused to reveal what they discussed.
'One can say, as I have, that the Democratic Party has lost its soul,' George said at the City Club. 'One can argue that the Democratic Party never had a soul.'