There are instances when a Catholic's unworthiness to receive Holy Communion will be determined
by the Church because of his or her public conduct, which may be in opposition to the moral law as
taught by the Church. In these cases, the Church forbids members to receive the sacrament. 915 in
the Code of Canon Law states:
Those who have been ... obstinately persevering in
manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.
In recent years, the Holy See has declared that those who are unworthy to receive Holy Communion if
they are "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin" include persons directly involved in lawmaking
bodies. These have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life.
Click here for more information on the obligation to deny Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians.
Which bishops are in obedience to Canon Law and which are not? Search our online database for information on the bishop of every diocese in the United States.
Appointed in 2004
To browse our database of Bishops, click here.
Which national political figures claim to be both "Catholic" and pro-abortion? Search our online database for information on so-called "Catholics" in public life, ranging from the vice-presidency to congressmen to cabinet members to governors, who support and promote the Culture of Death.
To browse our database of Politicians, click here.
For more news and updates
click here.
American Life League's Canon 915 project is in the process of collecting information from bishops and cardinals around the country. We have sent a letter requesting them to confirm or deny that they will obey Canon 915 by withholding Holy Communion from pro-abortion politicians in their diocese. Once we have received adequate responses to our inquiries, we will post the results on our interactive map.
We have posted a copy of the letter here.
What American Life League has done so far to encourage bishops to obey Canon Law 915.
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