Unfortunately, many wrongly think the Church is somehow "mean" or wrong in the (all too rare) instances when her leaders refuse a public sinner Holy Communion. However, as a recent interview with a leading Vatican official points out, such actions are actually acts of charity.
When a pubic sinner is refused the Holy Eucharist, we (1) shield the most sacred Object on earth - the very Flesh & Blood of Christ Himself, and (2) we protect the sinner from making a blasphemous Communion. The refusal may also encourage sinners to realize the seriousness of their situation and lead them to repentance. Further, such refusals provide good illustration to the faithful concerning the Real Presence and the consequences of sin. Such actions are also likely to prevent others from approaching Holy Communion unworthily.
[Refresher: "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:27-30)]
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