Springfield Illinois Bishop Thomas Paprocki has reportedly decided to uphold a decision from Blessed Sacrament Parish denying communion to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin because of his “pro-choice position.”
“Senator Durbin was informed several years ago by his pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish here in Springfield that he was not permitted to receive Holy Communion per canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law,” Bishop Paprocki reportedly wrote in response to a pro-life activist's query, the Illinois Review reported. “My predecessor upheld that decision and it remains in effect. It is my understanding that the senator is complying with that decision here in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.”
Canon 915 states that those who have been "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion."
The response comes after a report that the pastor of the parish, Monsignor Kevin Vann, made a “difficult decision” when he said he would not give Durbin holy communion due to his “pro-choice position.”
The Quincy Journal reports that Vann said he would instead give the senator a blessing.
Durbin began his career as a pro-life congressman and ended up as a senator who voted against banning partial birth abortion.
Durbin has not responded to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
