St. Louis, Mo., Jul 13, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop Raymond Burke and Democratic Congressman William Lacy Clay offered no comment after their private meeting yesterday, during which they were said to have discussed the issue of denying Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion.
Spokesmen said the meeting was pastoral and private, reported The Associated Press.
In January, the archbishop of St. Louis sparked an international debate when said he would deny Communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians, mentioning, in particular, Democratic Senator John Kerry.
He has also stated that anyone who votes for a pro-abortion candidate has committed a sin and needs to go to confession.
Clay, a Catholic politician who supports abortion rights, said last week that he thinks Archbishop Burke "has gone too far" in his statements.
He is on record for saying that the archbishop was getting too involved in politics and for suggesting that the Catholic Church surrender its tax status as a non-profit organization.