Illinois Bishop Bans Pro-Abortion Lawmakers from Receiving Communion

The bishop of Springfield, IL, has forbidden Catholic legislators who voted for the Reproductive Health Act from receiving Holy Communion in his diocese, citing penalties in Church Law for those who “persist in manifest grave sin.”

In a statement released by the Springfield diocese Thursday, Bishop Thomas Paprocki declared that “Illinois Catholic lawmakers who promoted or voted for extreme abortion legislation are not to receive Communion.”

Bishop Paprocki calls out two Catholic legislators by name, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, but extends the ban to any Catholic who voted for the bills.

“Due to their leadership roles in promoting the evil of abortion by facilitating the passage of Senate Bill 25 this legislative session and House Bill 40 in 2017, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton have been barred from receiving Holy Communion,” the statement reads.

“In addition, Illinois Catholic lawmakers who voted for either of these abortion bills are not to present themselves to receive Holy Communion,” it says.

These legislative leaders “have shown obstinate and persistent support of extreme abortion legislation,” the statement declares. “House Bill 40 legalized taxpayer funding for abortion and Senate Bill 25 makes abortion a fundamental right, allows for the killing of innocent children up to the moment of birth, and requires private insurance to pay for abortion, among other anti-life changes.”

Israel ‘remains firmly committed’ to ceasefire but will continue occupation of southern Lebanon

News Outlet Caves to Democratic Senate Candidate, Kills Poll That Makes Her Look Bad

Watch: Angel Reese Shoves Caitlin Clark, Then Mocks Her as Long-Running Rivalry Is Renewed

Karmelo Anthony runs away after murdering Austin Metcalf: surveillance video

Michigan trio allegedly beat, strangled and gagged man at Las Vegas hotel to collect on gambling debts

Body found in South Carolina ID’d as missing fitness trainer who told friend she was ‘scared for her life’

Obama Snubs Trump from Presidential Center Opening, Then Subtly Attacks Him

North Carolina furniture manufacturer allegedly kills business partner hours after losing contract dispute

Double endorsement drama: Trump backs second candidate in red state’s GOP gubernatorial runoff

Schiff silent on Biden-era Newsom probe report as California AG claims DOJ ‘weaponization’

Trump reveals new Air Force One will fly over DC on July 4

Transgender former New Hampshire state representative sentenced to 33 years for child sex abuse: report

WATCH: Boozy boaters unleash wild riverfront brawl as fists fly at popular South Carolina sandbar

New Air Force One takes flight as Trump unveils revamped presidential aircraft

Clarence Thomas and Two Fellow Conservatives Form Unexpected Majority with Two Liberals in SCOTUS Decision

The statement was accompanied by a formal decree, which was mailed earlier this week to those Catholic lawmakers who voted for House Bill 40/Senate Bill 25.

“To support legislation that treats babies in the womb like property, allowing for their destruction for any reason at any time, is evil,” the bishop said. “It’s my hope and prayer these lawmakers reconcile themselves to the Church so they can receive Communion.”

Bishop Paprocki, who is a canon lawyer, said that if these legislators would like to return to communion with the Church, they must seek sacramental absolution and demonstrate a “public conversion of life.”

“In view of their gravely immoral action to deprive unborn children legal protection against abortion, it must be said that any Catholic legislator who sponsored, promoted, advocated, or voted for these pro-abortion bills has acted in a seriously sinful manner unfaithful to the 2,000-year-old Christian teaching against abortion and therefore, would place themselves outside of the full communion of the Catholic Church,” the bishop said. “Such persons are not to receive Holy Communion until they have celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation and displayed a public conversion of life.”