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Twice-divorced
former candidate for the presidency of the USA and former New York
City mayor Rudy Giuliani went to church to celebrate Mass with the
Pope. He also broke the rules by taking Communion at a Mass
celebrated by Pope Benedict. That act breached rules preventing
those who remarry outside the Church from taking Communion.
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As he Giuliani left St. Patrick's
Cathedral in New York City with his third wife he confirmed to
reporters that he did take Communion from a priest. |
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When asked if he was uncomfortable with
having broken the Church rule banning the divorced and remarried
from taking Communion, Giuliani said, "No." |
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The Catholic Church does not recognize
divorce. It teaches that divorced Catholics are still married to
earlier partner. Only the Church can grant an annulment or rule that
the prior marriage was invalid. |
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Despite being Catholic, Giuliani speaks
of his socially liberal political positions, including support for
women's right to abortion and supporting gay rights. |
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In 2007, Pope Benedict reaffirmed the
ruling that divorced Catholics who remarry cannot receive Communion
unless they abstain from sexual relations with their new partner. |
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Giuliani has stated that he has "very,
very strong views on religion". He says these views come from his
wanting to be a priest and spending four years studying theology in
college. |