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 Catholic bishops approve Communion document aimed at possible rebuke of Biden

"The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voted overwhelmingly to draft a formal document on the meaning of the Eucharist after a contentious debate on whether President Biden and other politicians who support abortion policies are worthy of receiving Communion at Mass. 

More than 73% of the U.S. bishops casting ballots at a virtual conference this week supported tasking the USCCB's doctrine committee to draft language on maintaining consistency with the Eucharist. A section of the document is expected to include a specific admonition to Catholic politicians and other public figures who disobey church teaching on abortion and other core doctrinal issues. 

The Eucharist:

“And this food is called among us Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these…but…likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word…is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” source: Justin's Martyr First Apology, 66)

"Henry VIII: the sole head of the English Church; which, tho’ it shocked many squeamish consciences to swear to, yet we find none of any note that had the courage to refuse the oath, except John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir Thomas More, late Lord-Chancellor, who both lost their heads for it." Source: The Parliamentary Or Constitutional History of England, from the Earliest Times, to the Restoration of King Charles II. J. and R. Tonson, 1762.

St. John Fisher, Tower of London 1535 :

"Woe to us who have been born in this wretched age, an age - I say it weeping - in which anyone who has any zeal whatever for the glory of God, and casts his eyes on the men and women who now live, will be moved to tears to see everything turned upside down, the beautiful order of virtue overthrown, the bright light of life quenched, and scarce anything left in the Church but open iniquity and feigned sanctity. The light of good example is extinguished in those who ought to shine as luminaries to the whole world, like watch-towers and beacons on the mountains. No light, alas! comes from them, but horrid darkness, and pestilent mischief, by which innumerable souls are falling into destruction."Source: Life of Blessed John Fisher: Bishop of Rochester, Cardinal of the Holy Roman and Martyr Under Henry VIII By Thomas Edward Bridgett, 1890.

Prayer for Holy Bishops

"Lord, according to Your promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost.

"So. good Lord, do now in like manner again with Thy Church Militant; change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones; set in Thy Church strong and mighty pillars, that may suffer and endure great labors, watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat; which also shall not hear the threatenings of princes, persecution, neither death but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy Holy Name. By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Thy Gospel shall be preached throughout all the world.

"Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Thy mercy, show it indeed upon Thy Church."

This prayer was spoken by St. John Fisher in a sermon in 1508. Twenty-seven years later he underwent martyrdom on Tower Hill in London during the reign of Henry VIII.

Source: St. John Fisher Forum