Take a look at The Modesto Bee, the Nov. 29 edition. (www.modbee.com). An article about the local Catholic pastor advising his flock to return to the confessional if they voted for Obama. According to the Modesto Bee, Fr. Joseph Illo wrote the following to his parishoners: “If you are one of the 54 percent of Catholics who voted for a pro-abortion candidate, you were clear on his position and you knew the gravity of the question, I urge you to go to confession before receiving communion. Don’t risk losing your state of grace by receiving sacrilegiously.” This letter was sent to over 15000 members of St. Joseph’s parish in the diocese of Stockton. Fr. Illo also made the point in a homily.
Reportedly, Fr. Illo’s bishop disagrees with him, indicating that Catholics should not feel compelled to disclose to a priest how they voted.
Apparently, Fr. Illo has received strong support from his parishoners for his comments.
Will abortion split even our Church?
As I have said in previous posts, I cannot support with my vote any candidate for state or federal office who publicly and actively supports abortion rights. I do not want to try to explain to my Lord at the time of my death my reasoning for voting for a pro-abortion candidate such as Obama, given present political, social and economic conditions.
Therefore, I vote differently.
Whether to confess a vote for a pro-abortion candidate, I think confession is good for all of us. If we don’t frequent the sacrament, we do ourselves and the Church a disfavor.
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