In a move that has stirred debate, a Catholic priest has barred a local Member of Parliament (MP) from taking communion due to the MP’s vote on a contentious legislative issue. The decision underscores the ongoing tension between religious beliefs and political actions.
Reports indicate that Father Ian Vane has informed MP Chris Coghlan, affiliated with the Liberal Democrats, of his exclusion from the sacrament of communion. This comes after Coghlan voted in favor of a bill supporting assisted suicide, which Father Vane views as a persistent sinfulness incompatible with receiving the sacrament.
Emphasizing his duty as a guardian of the sacraments, Father Vane decided to publicize this action to his congregation during a mass, despite Coghlan’s absence at the service.
While Coghlan has expressed outrage over this decision, describing it as “outrageous,” some individuals, including those previously critical of Vane, have praised a more discerning approach to the administration of sacraments.
Damian Thompson, who formerly edited the Catholic Herald, remarked that the priest’s decision was a source of significant shock among his clerical peers.
In an article for The Observer, Coghlan characterized Father Vane’s conduct as “completely inappropriate,” arguing that it erodes the credibility of religious bodies by attempting to influence parliamentary members through such measures.
Coghlan has also reached out to Bishop Richard Moth of the Arundel and Brighton diocese, Father Vane’s superior, seeking intervention. The diocese confirmed that Bishop Moth has had a discussion with Coghlan and is open to an in-person meeting to delve deeper into the matter.
Back in 2021, Antonio Spadaro, a Vatican official, noted that the church refrains from using communion as a “political weapon.” This sentiment was echoed during a period when the church advised against denying communion to U.S. politicians who support abortion.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
