Under God

Kennedy isn't first denied Communion

Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) became the latest politician to be denied Communion because of his views on abortion.

The Vatican memo endorsing the practice was drafted by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.

Some of the more notable bans: In 2003, Democratic Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin was told not to take Communion by Bishop Raymond Burke. After he became archbishop of St. Louis, Burke said that if then-presidential candidate John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) came to his Mass, he would tell him not to take Communion.

Others who have been excluded: Former California governor Gray Davis; former New Jersey governor James McGreevey; and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Christian Scientists and health-care bills

Leaders of the Church of Christ, Scientist, are pushing a proposal that would help patients pay its spiritual practitioners for prayer by having insurers reimburse the $20 to $40 cost. The provision was stripped from the bill the House passed this month, and church leaders are trying to get it inserted into the Senate version.

The church has some powerful allies there, including Sens. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), who represents the state where it is based, and Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), who said the provision would "ensure that health-care reform law does not discriminate against any religion."

Staff writers Michelle Boorstein and William Wan blog regularly on religion, politics and policy at http://washingtonpost.com/onfaith.