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Priest speaks out after denying communion to lawmakers who support abortion bill


A West Warwick priest spoke out after denying communion to lawmakers who support pro-abortion. (WJAR)
A West Warwick priest spoke out after denying communion to lawmakers who support pro-abortion. (WJAR)
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A local priest spoke out for the first time on Sunday after barring lawmakers from receiving communion at his parish because they voted pro-abortion.

Last week, Rev. Richard Bucci placed a letter in a newspaper calling out lawmakers by name who he thought shouldn’t receive communion, serve as godparents, witness marriages or serve in church functions.

He didn't think anyone should be surprised by his stance and Sunday he doubled down.

He called abortion the slaughter of innocent children.

“We are not talking about any other moral issue, where some may make it a comparison between pedophilia and abortion. Pedophilia doesn't kill anyone and this does,” Rev. Bucci of Sacred Heart Church in West Warwick said.

Bucci told NBC 10 News there are more children who have been killed by abortion than have been abused.

The debate on abortion is nothing new and was forced into the spotlight again days after the 47th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling last week.

Rev. Bucci said Rhode Island lawmakers who supported the state's abortion bill should be barred from receiving Communion.

He said the news should not be a surprise since the church has been taking a pro-life stance for more than 2,000 years.

“Now, I don't know what else I have to say about it, this is the teaching of the church. The Canon Law of the church, the Second Vatican Council, and the First Catechism of the church. I don’t know what more evidence I should have to present,” Rev. Bucci said.

He said anyone who permits, provides for, or encourages abortion should be separated from the body of Christ -- meaning the Eucharist.

He added the church has been "playing nice" around this topic but hopes to see the practice reformed.

Sen. Adam Satchell, who represents residents of West Warwick, was asked to be his niece's godfather and happily accepted, but was not allowed to because of Rev. Bucci's barring.


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