Catholics Mixed on Whether President Should Receive Communion

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                                    President Biden bows his head to pray at a Catholic Mass

By Michael Finneran
JRN100 Staff Writer

Nearly 70 percent of American Catholics said President Biden should be allowed to receive Communion, but a majority of Republican Catholics said he should be denied this rite, according to a 2021 study.

According to the Pew Research Center, among U.S. Catholic adults overall, 67% say Biden should be allowed to receive Communion during Mass, while 29% say the country’s second Catholic President should not be allowed to do this. When Democrats were polled exclusively, 87% said he should be allowed Communion. When Republicans were polled exclusively 55% said he should not be allowed to receive Communion.

Americans were also polled on whether Catholic politicians should receive communion if they are in support of other controversial topics in the church. Those topics are same-sex marriage, the death penalty, and immigration.

On abortion, 67% said they should be allowed Communion, and 29% said they should not. On gay marriage, 19% said they should not, and 78% said they should. On the death penalty, 18% said they should not, and 79% said they should. On immigration, 9% said they should not, and 87% said they should.

Within specific political parties, the statistics differed. On Abortion, 82% of Democrats said that catholic politicians in support should receive communion. Only 50% of Republics said that they should receive communion.

On same-sex marriage, 85% of Democrats said catholic politicians in support should receive communion. 68% of Republicans said they should receive communion.

On the death penalty, 80% of Democrats said Catholic politicians in support should receive communion. 78% of Republicans said they should.

89% of Democrats believe that Catholic politicians who do not share the Church’s view on immigration, should receive communion. 86% of Republicans believe that they should receive communion.

Deacon Joseph Nickley of The Holy Ghost Church in Whitman Massachusetts said he disagrees on Biden potentially being denied communion for his opinions. Nickley is a devout Catholic who shares the view of the Church on controversial topics.

“Communion is the apex of a Catholic’s faith,” said Nickley.

Catholics believe that this practice allows for the body of Jesus Christ to be received. The Catholic Church was founded upon Jesus’ crucifixion and Communion is receiving that gift, according to Nickley.

Nickley views abortion as murder because that’s what his faith teaches. However, he doesn’t believe that political leaders who support abortion or homosexual marriage should be denied communion.

Nickley believes that the death penalty should be enforced rarely, if ever. He also believes that illegal immigration is wrong because it could bring bad people into our country, but supporters should not be denied communion.

“If Biden was in front of me, I would hand him Jesus,” said Nickley.

He would never deny anyone the right to receive the love of Jesus. Nickley provided insight into why the Catholic Church feels the need to deny the president Communion publicly.

 Nickley explained that it is out of love. The religion teaches that these things are wrong, so Catholic leaders are attempting to make that known.

“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” said Nickley.

He does not see the possibility of reaching common ground because the word of God does not change in his eyes. What the Bible says cannot be rewritten according to Nickley.

Jessie Knight, a catholic, but an outspoken advocate of the pro-choice movement also offered her opinion on the subject.

Although not practicing, Knight is Catholic. However, she has different views on God than Nickley.

“I’m pro-choice. I do think it’s okay up until the first trimester, but after that it’s wrong,” said Knight.

Knight believes that the Church has the right to deny President Biden Communion. She thinks that have the right to deny anyone. This belief comes from Knight’s acknowledgment of the Church’s teachings.

Knight believes that common ground can and should be reached. However, if it is not, she sees that as the Church’s fault.

“I think it would be the Church’s fault because they are not willing to budge,” said Knight.

 

 

 

 

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