Nicole Brodeur / Times staff columnist
Rules apply to Catholic politicians

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Finally, news from the Roman Catholic hierarchy that doesn't involve a bankrupt diocese or the bankrupt souls of sexually abusive priests.

Seattle Roman Catholic Archbishop Alexander Brunett on Tuesday said he would not deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, as a Vatican official pronounced not long ago. Rather, Brunett wants politicians to confer with their priests and search their hearts and minds before deciding whether to take Communion.

By publicly opposing church teachings, Brunett said, politicians "are personally denying their communion with the church."

In other words, there are standards set for taking the body of Christ. And if you don't keep them, if you support abortion or other issues that don't jibe with church doctrine, then maybe you should stay put during the sacrament.

That, or find a way to live — and campaign — by the rules.

Amen to that.

Here we have a grown-up archbishop asking the most public and outspoken members of his flock to be grown-ups, as well. And when you're dealing with politicians, that's a pretty tall order.

Some may see this as the newest incarnation of Catholic guilt; just one more thing to agonize over as you finger the cross around your neck.

But for those of us who have long shifted our legs to let other people pass for Communion and then sat staring at our hands, still there, but not up there, Brunett's statement formalizes something we have known since Sunday school.
 
Taking Communion is a privilege. You have to earn it.

But there's more to Brunett's statement than that. It also says that politicians can no longer have it both ways when it comes to their personal faith and public lives.

It also says that the church will no longer be an unsuspecting pawn in the political process.

Candidates should think long and hard not only before taking Communion, but also before standing on the church steps after Mass and pumping the pastor's hand for the cameras. You can't go to Communion and then use the same mouth in which you held a host to defend abortion.

In this soulless time, when the government is picking away at civil rights and business leaders are making a mockery of personal ethics, Brunett is calling for integrity to be a part of personal faith.

Those who disagree with Brunett say that they have a relationship with God that no archbishop can put asunder. They are human. God knows what is in their hearts, understands and forgives them.

I empathize with them. But I also know that I have to hold up my end of the bargain if I want to take part in every aspect of Catholic life.

I can't. So I sit.

Those are the rules. You know them. Brunett would like it if you followed them.

But in the end, it's your call.

It's your soul.

Nicole Brodeur's column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Reach her at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.

She always sits in the last row.