Priest Denies Communion to Politician Over Assisted Dying Vote

en.newsJun 29edited

Priest Denies Communion to Politician Over Assisted Dying Vote

A Catholic priest denied Chris Coghlan, an English Liberal Democrat MP who voted in favour of assisted suicide, Holy Communion. The politician whined about the priest's excellent deed on Observer.co.uk (June 29).

What happened?

Already before the vote, Rev. Ian Vane of St Joseph's Church in Dorking, England, informed Coghlan that if he backed the assisted dying bill, he would be "an obstinate public sinner" and could not receive Holy Communion.

He would be complicit in a "murderous act, which must always be forbidden". Such a vote would be 'a clear contravention of the Church's teaching', the courageous priest wrote.

Despite this, Coghlan went ahead and voted for the bill on Friday, 20 June.

On Sunday, 22 June, Rev Vane publicly declared at both morning masses that Coghlan was barred from receiving Communion.

Reaction by the Diocese

The man complicit in a murderous act had the audacity to complain to Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton.

The diocese responded by acknowledging an alleged "complexity of the issue", offering to meet with Coghlan directly and expressing prayers for those affected.

Picture: Chris Coghlan © Press Picture, #newsNhuwuajhss

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True MassJul 1

England.

True MassJul 2

lol. Just always been so amazed that they broke away to follow some whacked out king. How any intelligent or not so intelligent Anglican can take one look at the origins of their religion and not say something very wrong has happened here. Has always boggled my mind.
God bess you my Catholic brother.

CatholicConclaveJun 30

The Bishop has backed the MP. Utter disgrace. MPs claiming to be Catholic can make up morals as they damn well please.

Patricia McKeeverJun 30

@CatholicConclave
I'm utterly shocked that the bishop would even think of supporting that MP - incredible, or it would be if we hadn't been living through this beyond-crisis (apostasy) in the Church, this past 60 odd years. God help us all.

Patricia McKeeverJun 30

@English Catholic, @CatholicConclave
I agree with you that we need confirmation of the Bishop's position - on a very quick search just now, I could not find any verification for the claim that the Bishop is backing the MP, but, as you say, this is not surprising, if true.

CatholicConclaveJun 30

Sorry the MP is claiming he is backed by the Bishop which I guess will be true. Will post when there is more. How a UK bill led to a Communion showdown

CatholicConclaveJul 1

I worked in Parliament.....so absolutely.

Wilma Lopez shares this

Jun 30

‘Murderous act’: Fr. Ian Vane told the legislator that a vote for assisted suicide would constitute 'obstinate public sin' and publicly announced that he was barred from Holy Communion days later.

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chris griffinJun 29

Why don't priests refuse Communion to pro-abortion politicians. The condemnation of abortion is the latest infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church with the same authority as all the Marian dogmas and the founding of the Catholic Church by Christ.

Mazza La RagazzaJun 29

Pray for that guy's repentance!

charismaJun 29

I was told I was complicit in a murderous act …

Malki TzedekJun 29

How refreshing! A shepherd with 'spine', and spiritual integrity.

giveusthisdayJun 29

Thank you Fr. Ian Vane, for your courage!

HerzMariaeJun 29

This is Fr. Ian Vane, the Catholic priest who denied Holy Communion to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan after he voted in favor of assisted suicide. According to BBC. Fr. Vane stated, “As priests, we are custodians of the sacraments.”