Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) revealed why she has an issue with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone.
While speaking at an event at Georgetown University’s Center on Faith and Justice Thursday, Pelosi commented on her stance on abortion.
“I think I’m pro-life because I care about children and the rest,” said Pelosi, who has spoken in favor of abortion rights.
She continued, “I have a problem with my archbishop, well the archbishop of the city I represent. But, I mean, I figure that’s his problem, not mine.”
Pelosi suggested she is “pretty much in sync when it talks about the social compact of the Catholic bishops and the rest.”
However, she explained, “They are willing to abandon the bulk of it because of one thing.”
Watch Pelosi’s comments below:
In May 2022, Cordileone banned Pelosi from receiving Holy Communion in the archdiocese over her stance on abortion.
He said in a letter he told Pelosi, “Should you not publically repudiate your advocacy for abortion ‘rights’ or else refrain from referring to your Catholic faith in public and receiving Holy Communion, I would have no choice but to make a declaration, in keeping with canon 915, that you are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”
Cordileone added, “As you have not publically repudiated your position on abortion, and continue to refer to your Catholic faith in justifying your position and to receive Holy Communion, that time has now come.”
The letter continues, “Therefore, in light of my responsibility as the Archbishop of San Francisco to be ‘concerned for all the Christian faithful entrusted to [my] care’ (Code of Canon Law, can. 383, §1), by means of this communication I am hereby notifying you that you are not to present yourself for Holy Communion and, should you do so, you are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, until such time as you publically repudiate your advocacy for the legitimacy of abortion and confess and receive absolution of this grave sin in the sacrament of Penance.”
Pope Francis previously spoke out on the matter of bishops making the decision to deny certain individuals the right to receive Communion over their position on the controversial issue.
“The problem is not theological, it’s pastoral,” Pope Francis told reporters in 2021.
He added, “How we bishops deal with this principle. We must be pastors, also with those who are excommunicated. Like God with passion and tenderness. The Bible says so.”
Similarly, President Joe Biden made headlines in 2021 when he received Holy Communion at St. Patrick’s Church amid objection from Republicans who disapprove of his stance on abortion.
The Rev. Joe Ciccone said Biden’s position on the matter was not an issue.
“Communion is what brings us together in the Lord. None of us are pure and perfect. We struggle through life. We’re all saints and sinners,” Ciccone said.
He suggested, “When you’re a public figure, you have to make certain decisions, especially in a democracy, on behalf of more than just your own personal feelings.”