A clergyman from Cork, named Fr Tim Hazelwood, part of the leadership team at the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP), has condemned the actions of his fellow priest, Fr Gabriel Burke, for withholding the communion from State Minister Colm Burke. This incident occured during a funeral mass in Whitechurch on a previous Friday, due to the Minister’s pro-abortion legislative stance.
Fr Hazelwood, previously serve in Blarney parish, voiced his disappointment, not over the priest personally, but over his actions. He argued that these actions aren’t representative of most priests in the Diocese of Cloyne and could harm the priesthood’s image. He explained that these divisive actions are remininiscent of an older time in church history that should be left behind and might distance people from the sacraments, rather than welcome them into the church’s fold.
The reason Fr Burke denied communion to Mr Burke was attributed to the latter’s “support for abortion.” As a senator, Mr Burke had voted in favour of abortion following the 2018 referendum. In the lead-up to the vote, Archbishop Eamon Martin explicitly stated that any politician voting in favour of abortion was ‘collaborating with evil’ and should be barred from communion, a stance that was well known to Mr Burke.
Upon approaching Fr Burke for communion at the funeral, Mr Burke was informed that he was excommunicated and was thus denied the sacrament, leaving him with no choice but to retreat without receiving it.
Fr Burke made it clear that he did not carry out the excommunication of Mr Burke. Rather, Mr Burke, by voting in 2018 for a law allowing abortion after a public vote repealed the Eighth Amendment, excommunicated himself. He emphasized that it was not him or the Pope who excommunicated Mr Burke, but his own actions led to what’s known as a Latae Sententia excommunication- a penalty that automatically takes place.
Whilst unsure of how his views align with the overall sentiments of priests, Fr Burke highlighted the support he had received from priests nationwide and devout parishioners in Whitechurch.
Fr Hazelwood questioned Fr Burke’s reasoning, suggesting that following this logic, everyone who voted for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment is also supportive of abortion and, hence, ineligible for communion.
Despite the Association of Catholic Priests sternly criticising his actions, Fr Burke maintained that he acted in good faith.
Fr Jim Moore, a spokesman for the Diocese of Cloyne, confirmed that communication has been made by Mr Burke regarding this matter. Currently dealing with a personal matter, Bishop William Crean will get in touch with Mr Burke when able.