St. Louis archbishop, U.S. rep discuss Communion, abortion

ST. LOUIS -- Roman Catholic Rep. William Lacy Clay and St. Louis' archbishop met privately over the debated issue of denying Communion to Catholic politicians supportive of abortion rights.

Neither Clay -- a St. Louis Democrat who favors abortion rights -- nor Archbishop Raymond Burke would disclose what was said during Monday's meeting.

Clay has said that Burke "has gone too far" by saying that Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should not receive Communion and that voters who support them should go to confession before receiving the sacrament.

He said Burke was delving into politics and perhaps the church should surrender its nonprofit status.

After Monday's meeting, Clay's spokesman, Ishmael-Lateef Ahmad, said Clay would have no comment because he had decided the meeting should be private.

Jim Orso, spokesman for the archdiocese, said that Burke and Clay agreed the meeting was "pastoral" and that no public statements would be made.

Burke caused debate when he said in January he would deny Communion to Democratic presidential contender John Kerry, a Catholic who supports abortion rights. Shortly before leaving his former diocese in Wisconsin, Burke admonished Catholic politicians not to receive the sacrament.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted a statement last month warning lawmakers at odds with church teaching that they were "cooperating in evil." But the statement left it up to each bishop to decide whether to deny Communion.