A state senator in New Mexico was denied Holy Communion at his Catholic church because of his support for a pro-abortion bill.
“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,” Las Cruces state Sen. Joe Cervantes tweeted.
Cervantes was denied Communion because he voted in favor of a pro-abortion bill that was signed into law and repealed in a 1969 state law criminalizing abortions, Fox News reports.
“Since voting to eliminate an unconstitutional and never used New Mexico law, which would imprison women for abortion, some new clergy have decided I am unwelcome at their communion,” he said in a Monday statement. “While I ordinarily prefer to practice my faith privately with my family, I felt it necessary to address those who would politicize, and thereby belittle, the promise of the Eucharist.”
“I wanted to encourage values based on inclusivity, understanding, forgiveness and compassion, which are the core of Christ’s teachings,” the democrat lawmaker continued.
The director of communications for the Diocese of Las Cruces, Christopher Velasquez, however, said multiple church officials tried to contact Cervantes about his support for the bill prior to him being denied communion.
“Bishop Baldacchino did not receive a response from the senator,” Velasquez said. “He was contacted multiple times prior, letting him know that if he voted for Senate Bill 10, he should not present himself for Communion. It did not happen on the spur of the moment.”
As previously reported by Human Events News, last month, Catholic Bishops agreed to prepare a document that would restrict Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, including Joe Biden, from receiving Communion.
The measure, which had drawn objections from the Vatican and Pope Francis’ strongest allies, required only a simple majority but passed with 73 percent of the 229 votes cast. More than 270 U.S. Bishops were eligible to participate.
