Evergreen Reporter

Washington Catholics are speaking out against Catholic politicians who are pro-abortion-- including U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D) and Patty Murray (D --- but still present themselves at Mass for Holy Communion.

The Catholics were responding to a November email survey by CatholicVote.org. They were unanimous in their criticism of the Vermont politicians, describing their actions as heretical and damaging to the church.

“They facilitate murder and are therefore in grave sin and according to Church doctrine must reconcile before receiving the Eucharist,” said Charles Harris of Bellingham.

“The pro-abortion politician should not approach to receive communion. The Fifth commandment is clear,” said Julia Humpherys of Yakima.

If it were anybody else, they would be refused,” said Ken DeWitt of Bainbridge Island. “Just because they are a politician does not mean they get a pass. They only use their Catholic faith to get elected

“How do you eat an elephant ? One bite at a time. How do you destroy a church ? Change one belief at a time,” said Kristin Grose of Olalla.

Since his inauguration, President Joe Biden has regularly pitted himself against Catholic leaders over Catholic teachings on issues like abortion and sexuality. 

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, head of the U.S. Bishops’ pro-life committee, has said “[President Biden] likes to call himself a ‘devout’ Catholic. I would urge him to begin to act like one, especially on life issues."

In September 2021, Biden frankly admitted that he does not agree with the Catholic Church when it comes to the sanctity of life. 

“I respect those who believe life begins at the moment of conception,” Biden said. “I don’t agree, but I respect that.”

A June 2021 poll conducted by CatholicVote.org found that an overwhelming majority of Mass-going Catholics think that Catholic politicians who promote abortion should not receive Communion. 

It found 83% of Mass-going Catholics believe politicians who oppose Catholic teachings "create confusion and disunity" and 74% believe that they should not present themselves for communion.

Speaking with America Magazine in November, Catholic Democrat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois complained of being denied Communion in his home diocese, near Springfield, Ill., due to his pro-abortion record. 

“It’s not a happy experience,” Durbin said, adding that he thought receiving Communion is “a personal decision” that should be open to almost “anybody if the person believes that they are worthy of it.”

The current U.S. Congress includes 158 Catholics, according to the Pew Forum. That's down from 168 in 2017 and up from 100 in 1961.

There are 85 Catholic Democrats in the U.S. House and 24 in the U.S. Senate. All are pro-abortion.