By WBFO News
Albany, NY – A conservative Catholic theologian says Governor Andrew Cuomo should be denied the Catholic sacrament of Communion because of his relationship with his companion, the Food Network's Sandra Lee.
Professor Edward Peters says his views are his own. But other Catholic leaders disagree.
Albany Bishop Howard Hubbard and other priests have allowed Cuomo, who is Catholic, to receive Communion, including at Christmas last December and and at a Mass for his inauguration.
The Albany Catholic Diocese released a statement Wednesday in response to Peters' views. It acknowledges "the norms of the church governing the sacraments which Catholics are expected to observe." But the statement continued that "it is unfair and imprudent to make a pastoral judgment about a particular situation without knowing all the facts."
"As a matter of pastoral practice we would not comment publicly on anything which should be addressed privately, regardless if the person is a public figure or a private citizen," the statement concluded.
Cuomo, who is divorced and supports abortion rights, is not commenting.
Catholic leaders in New York say church law allows bishops to make the decision on such personal matters involving a public official. They say Peters speaks for himself.
Peters does serve as a consultant to the Vatican High Court.