POLITICIANS AND ABORTION

A top Vatican Cardinal, Francis Arinze, said yesterday that priests must deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.

Although not specifically named, this could have affected John Kerry, who, incidentally, was photographed taking Communion a United Methodist Church in April.

The Vatican issued this directive yesterday to crack down on what it called abuses in celebrating Mass.

Here are some highlights:

Only priests and deacons may read the Gospel, and a priest "should ordinarily" deliver the homily. He may occasionally delegate it to a deacon, "but never to a lay person."

If there is no priest to celebrate Mass or necessity otherwise requires it, a bishop may delegate a layperson as an "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion" for a specific time.

Anyone conscious of being in grave sin shouldn't celebrate or accept Communion without going to confession first.

Priests may not deny sacraments to Roman Catholics who are seeking them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them. Hence, any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion."

It is "laudable" to use altar boys at Mass; girls or women also may be used.

"The reprobated practice by which priests, deacons or the faithful here and there vary at will the texts of the sacred liturgy that they are charged to pronounce must cease. ... It is illicit to omit or substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one's own initiative.

"The gesture of exchanging the peace greeting should only be done to those who are nearest and in a sober manner.

"The introduction of rites taken from other religions into Mass is forbidden. Priests may not celebrate Mass in a temple or sacred place of any non-Christian religion.

"Care should be taken lest out of ignorance non-Catholics or even non-Christian come forward for Holy Communion.

"It is unthinkable to substitute ecumenical services or other common prayer services for Sunday Mass.

"Defrocked priests may not celebrate the sacraments.

"Bishops do have flexibility to adapt the Mass to the particular church building, audience or circumstances so that it is understood."