Respecting the Body and Blood of the Lord: When Holy Communion Should Be Denied

His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke unpacks in a clear, concise way the history and significance of the Catholic Church's long-held teaching regarding who is worthy to receive Holy Communion -- and who is not. Referencing writings of Church Fathers, Pope St. John Paul II, numerous saints, the <i>Catechism of the Catholic Church</i>, and Scripture itself, Cardinal Burke cogently expresses the continuity of what Pope Benedict XVI referred to as a "perennial Church teaching." In an age in which misguided pluralism has caused doctrinal relativism to run rampant, <p/> Cardinal Burke explains Canon Law 915, which reads: "The excommunicated and interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others who remain obstinately in manifestly grievous sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion." <p/> Previously published for the clergy, this updated version includes commentary written for the laity by Catholic Action for Faith and Family president Thomas McKenna to help explain such points as: <ul><li> How the Church responded to historical scenarios of scandal, heresy, and unbelief (and their relevance today!) </li><li> Circumstances that call for a person to refrain from receiving Holy Communion </li><li> When a communicant should be denied Holy Communion (and by whom) </li><li> How this applies to politicians who continue to publicly support grave sins </li><li> What six saints said about properly receiving Holy Communion </li><li> The insidious fruits of scanda