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.”

FBI releases eerie new age-progression renderings of accused University of Colorado student killer

Weapons stockpile shortages impacting military strategy in the Mideast

The biggest threat in America’s race with China isn’t Beijing, tech executive warns

Trump Shoots Down Claims Iran Attacked US Water Systems, Blames ‘Corrupt’ Tim Walz

Watch: Spanish Woman’s ‘Suicidal Empathy’ on Full Display as Africans Invade City

Late-term abortion takes front seat as blue state rushes to expand access before session ends

Get your Shark Week fix in DC

FBI still searching for 2020 rioter who helped demolish ICE facility

Fauci faces lifetime ban from federal government work under new bill following explosive hearing

Internet erupts over report that Platner’s replacement in key Senate race fathered children with second cousin

Watch: Bill Murray’s Brutal SNL Skit from 1987 Called Out Trans Surgeon as Deranged Child Mutilator

Trump warns Ceuta scenes will happen in US if Democrats get reelected

Investigators believe Iranian hackers are likely behind cyberattack on Minnesota water systems: report

Ben Sasse’s latest pancreatic cancer update comes amid his stark warning about America’s future

Woman’s death at Boston home owned by Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s husband ruled a homicide: officials

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.”