Source: Politics<\/p>\n
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE \u2014 Pope Francis said Wednesday that Catholic bishops must minister to politicians who back abortion with \u201ccompassion and tenderness,\u201d not condemnation, and warned that they shouldn\u2019t let politics enter into questions about receiving Communion.<\/p>\n
Francis was asked en route home from Slovakia about the debate in the U.S. church about whether President Joe Biden and other politicians should be denied Communion because of their stance on abortion. U.S. bishops have agreed to draft a \u201cteaching document\u201d that many of them hope will rebuke Catholic politicians, including Biden, for receiving Communion despite their support for abortion rights.<\/p>\n
Francis declined to give a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d answer, saying he didn\u2019t know the U.S. case well enough. He repeated that abortion was \u201chomicide,\u201d and that Catholic priests cannot give the Eucharist to someone who is not in communion with the church. He cited the case of a Jew, or someone who isn\u2019t baptized or who has fallen away from the church.<\/p>\n
Most importantly, he said, was that priests and bishops must respond pastorally and not politically to any problem that comes before them. He said they must use \u201cthe style of God\u201d to accompany the faithful with \u201ccloseness, compassion and tenderness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what should pastors do? Be pastors, and not go condemning, condemning,\u201d Francis said.<\/p>\n