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Victoria AG Temporarily Refused Communion on Christmas Eve

By Howard M. Friedman

In Australia, Melbourne's Herald-Sun and Sydney's Morning Herald reported last week that Victoria's Attorney-General Robert Hulls was refused communion on Christmas eve by a minister assisting the parish priest at St. Monica's Church in Moonee Ponds. Apparently the refusal was motivated by Hulls' role in referring the state's recently enacted abortion law to the Law Reform Commission, even though Hulls voted against the bill in Victoria's Parliament. The new law permits abortions through the second trimester (and after that with approval of two doctors). After the embarrassing refusal by the minister on Christmas eve, Hulls moved to a second line being served by parish priest Fr. Peter Kenny, who gave him communion. Fr. Kenny says the incident was a misunderstanding, and he had no hesitation in giving Hulls communion and blessing Hulls' children.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 05, 2009 (boomark / email).