TD denied communion due to stance on abortion seeking clarification from local diocese

A junior minister who was denied communion due to his stance on abortion has said he is seeking clarification from the local diocese about his status within the church.

TD for Cork North-Central Colm Burke was attending a funeral in Whitechurch, Co Cork on Friday when Father Gabriel Burke covered the chalice in a moment which was captured on a video livestream.

The Association of Catholic Priests said it is not the role of a priest to judge the conscience of another person, adding priests do not own the Eucharist.

Describing what happened, Mr Burke said: "He gave me a blessing. I advised him that I was here to receive holy communion, and he said you are not getting holy communion.

"He then leaned forward and said, 'You have been excommunicated'. This was in front of the family. I decided there was no point in any further discussion as it wasn't appropriate, so I moved off at that stage."

The Association of Catholic Priests condemned the actions of the priest, stating abortion is a complex matter, and public representatives are tasked with finding the balance between the rights of the unborn child and the decision-making rights of the mother.

The group added it is not the role of the priest to judge the conscience of another person, adding it was a particularly aggravating factor that the incident in question took place during a funeral Mass.