Refrain from Communion Priest Tells Obama Voters

LifeNews.com has posted an article about a South Carolina priest, Fr. Jay Scott Newman, who has warned his congregation not to receive Communion if they voted for Barrack Obama until they repent and do penance.

The article reads in part:
Newman told the Greenville News on Wednesday that he will continue preaching on the "intrinsic and grave evil of abortion" and called Obama and Joe Biden's abortion support a "divisive issue" with a "moral dimension."

The priest posted a letter on the church web site saying that "voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."

Catholics who do not ask for forgiveness before receiving communion "eat and drink their own condemnation," Newman writes and cites a passage from I Corinthians in the Bible which talks about recognizing Christ before participating.

Newman told the newspaper that members of his church have been very supportive and claims the reaction has been favorable by a nine to one margin.

Stephen Gajdosik, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, told the newspaper that Newman's actions are within Catholic Church guidelines. he said local priests can best determine how to encourage their member's relationship with God.

If you would like to send an email thanking Father and assuring him of your prayers I'm sure he will appreciate it. The Diocese of Charleston is currently without a bishop since Bishop Robert Baker was assigned to Birmingham, AL, but you can send a thank you to the Diocesan Administrator, Msgr. Martin Laughlin at mlaughlin@catholic-doc.org. May God reward this courageous priest who is a true shepherd to his flock. Please pray for him.