There's Church. And there's State.
Some people are calling for the Catholic church to deny communion to politicians, such as John Kerry, who favor unhindered access to abortion. Who am I to stop them?

This question comes up as I notice yet another essay saying that it's illegitimate for the church to make this call. (For subscribers of the Wall Street Journal, Al Hunt calls it "Playing Politics at the Altar.")

Whatever reason the church offers for withholding the sacrament--I might try an explanation, but fearing that I will mangle it, will refrain from doing so--it really shouldn't matter to anyone outside the church--spiritual life included.

It could be argued that the media frenzy over the question reflects simple demographics: there are a lot of Catholics in the country, and by talking about the question, the commentariat is simply engaging an issue that interests a large portion of its audience.

True enough. But the ongoing press coverage also reflects the domination of all of culture by the politically-tinged value of self-determination ("Who's going to tell me if I can take communion? No one will tell me how to think"), the privileged position of the abortion rights regime, and most disturbingly, the fact that political thinking runs throughout all spheres of life.

The church has its own rules for belief, behavior, and debate. If you find that attractive, work within that world. But is the question of "When can the church withhold communion?" a matter of public concern? No way. (permalink)