New Mexico Catholic Diocese Criticizes Democratic Lawmaker for ‘Politicizing’ Its Refusal to Allow Him Communion

A New Mexico diocese is criticizing a Democratic lawmaker after it banned him from accepting Holy Communion. The Diocese of Las Cruces told state Sen. Joe Cervantes to not present himself for Communion after he voted for a bill that repealed the state’s outdated 1969 law banning abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled abortion is a civil right in 1973.

On Saturday Senator Cervantes posted this tweet:

I was denied communion last night by the Catholic bishop here in Las Cruces and based on my political office. My new parish priest has indicated he will do the same after the last was run off. Please pray for church authorities as Catholicism transitions under Pope Francis.

— Sen. Joe Cervantes (@SenJoeCervantes) July 17, 2021

On Monday a church spokesperson told the Catholic News Agency that it is “unfortunate that a pastoral issue with a member of the local Church be publicized.”

“In terms of the diocese, we regret the decision of Sen. Cervantes to politicize this issue,” Christopher Velasquez, director of communications for the Diocese of Las Cruces added.

The National Catholic Register reports Velasquez says “that both Senator Cervantes’ pastor and local ordinary tried to contact him several times previously regarding his support for an abortion bill, warning him he should not receive Communion. ‘It did not happen on the spur of the moment,’ Velasquez said of the denial of Communion.”

The Vatican earlier this year told the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to not politicize or “weaponize” communion or other sacraments.

“The concern in the Vatican,” Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit priest and close ally of Pope Francis told The New York Times, “is not to use access to the Eucharist as a political weapon.”

Related:

US Catholic Bishops Move Toward Denying Biden Communion in Political Decision Violating Vatican Direction

‘I Dare You to Deny Me Communion’: 60 Democrats Blast Bishops for Move to Punish Biden by ‘Weaponizing’ Eucharist

‘Just the Worst. I’m Sorry but She Is’: Internet Slams Meghan McCain for Claiming Biden ‘Doing Grave Spiritual Harm’

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