The pastor of a church in South Carolina refused communion to Joe Biden, a Roman Catholic, for his views supporting legalized abortion. A 1983 article of the Canon Law of the Catholic Church stipulates that communion should not be given to those who have committed a “grave sin” and not confessed or repented.

But, writes Bruce Morrill, a theologian at Vanderbilt University, attitudes toward sin have changed significantly since then, with most Catholics considering it a personal matter.

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Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks at a town hall in Florence, South Carolina. He was denied communion by a priest in South Carolina. Sarah Blake Morgan

Why Joe Biden was denied communion at a church

Bruce T. Morrill, Vanderbilt University

Joe Biden was denied communion for pro-choice views. Catholics with 'unforgiven' sins can't receive communion. A theologian says many Catholics would question if Biden was indeed in a 'sinful' state.

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