Potential Communion ban for Biden a reckoning for Long Island Catholics

Efforts by American bishops to deny Communion to President Joe Biden for supporting abortion rights are backed by some Long Island Catholics, opposed by others, and have the next leader of Biden's Delaware diocese, a priest with local roots, on the hot seat.

Bishop-elect William Koenig, who grew up in East Meadow and takes over Biden’s home diocese in July, has yet to reveal how he will handle the situation when Biden returns home and, as is his custom, attends Sunday Mass.

On May 1, when his appointment was announced, Koenig said he would be open to having a conversation with the president on the issue. As a bishop, Koenig said in May, he is called to teach "the fullness and the beauty of the Catholic faith."

Earlier this month, the American bishops — meeting virtually for their annual conference — endorsed a plan to draft guidance that would deny Communion to Biden and other Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

During a recent White House event on the pandemic, Biden, asked about the bishops' efforts, said: "That’s a private matter, and I don’t think that’s going to happen."

Holy Communion is among the Roman Catholic Church’s most sacred rites — marking the Last Supper, and among the faithful, transformation of bread and wine into the blood and flesh of Christ.

The motion to proceed with the draft was approved with 73% of bishops in favor and 24% opposed. The Diocese of Rockville Centre declined to say how Bishop John Barres weighed in, saying votes were confidential.

A recent Pew Research Center Poll found that 67% of adult Catholics in the United States agree that Biden should be allowed to receive Communion, while 29% were opposed.

"I think the bishops are going to have a tough time," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a senior analyst for Religion News Service. "They have to convince not only Catholic politicians, they also have to convince the Catholic public on this. So far it doesn’t seem they are succeeding."

The entire issue may dissipate as the bishops come under growing criticism, Reese said.

To implement a national policy, two-thirds of the bishops would have to approve, along with the Vatican — something that won’t happen under Pope Francis, Reese said.

Days after the vote, the bishops posted a statement on their website saying "there will be no national policy on withholding Communion from politicians … The document being drafted is not meant to be disciplinary in nature, nor is it targeted at any one individual or class of persons."

Reese said the bishops "are backpedaling really fast. … With the opposition of the Vatican on this, they’ve almost done a U-turn."

For David Bonagura, a parishioner at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church in Floral Park and an author on Catholicism, his choice is clear: He supports the bishops.

"Abortion is a black-and-white issue. It’s immoral, it’s a moral wrong," Bonagura said. "Therefore anyone who’s publicly enabling and facilitating abortion as the president is putting himself outside Communion with the church, and therefore he should not present himself to receive the Holy Communion."

Jane Serpico, a parishioner at St. Boniface Martyr Roman Catholic Church in Sea Cliff, is appalled by the bishops’ actions.

"I think it’s a real travesty if indeed they go ahead with this document," she said. "They’re using the Eucharist as a weapon, and it’s just so wrong. It’s so un-Catholic, it’s so un-Christian."

Serpico said the bishops "don’t know what’s in Biden’s heart when he goes to receive Communion on Sundays, and they shouldn’t be judging him. It’s just a deplorable thing to do to this president."

Archbishop Wilton Cardinal Gregory of Washington, D.C., where Biden also worships, has said he has no plans to deny Biden the Eucharist. Koenig takes over the Diocese of Wilmington on July 13.

Some Long Island Catholics who know Koenig said he is highly unlikely to deny Biden Communion, unless the American bishops make it a national policy toward public officials who support abortion rights.

"The Billy I know is far too pastoral, and far too wise, to politicize the Eucharist or withhold Jesus from anyone," said Pat McDonough, a parishioner and longtime church worker from Manhasset.

Elizabeth Boylan, a lay leader at St. Agnes Cathedral parish in Rockville Centre, where Koenig served as rector, said she hopes he has a dialogue with Biden — and the president has a change of heart.

"I’m praying for conversion of President Biden’s position … and that he will see the true meaning of what the Eucharist means," Boylan said.

"The sanctity of life is very important to our faith and to our culture of life," she said. "We are all about inclusion, but we cannot change what is in the Bible and we cannot change what our Catholic identity is."

Kevin McBride, a former principal of St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset who has a doctorate in theology, said he doubts Koenig will deny the Eucharist to Biden — nor should he.

"We are not a ‘one issue’ Catholic Church. President Biden is consistent with the Christ of the Gospel in many of his social positions," McBride said.

He added that "Pope Francis is clear: We should not use access to the Eucharist as a political weapon. … Sadly, some Bishops have lost sight of a simple insight: a sign of the Holy Spirit is unity not division."

Marion Boden, an active parishioner in Hampton Bays, said she is "happy that the U.S. bishops have walked back a bit on some of their earlier statements and I hope they keep heading in that direction."

"The Eucharist is the source of my spiritual strength," she added. "I know that I would be heartbroken, devastated, if I showed up at the altar and were turned away."