Source: Religion News Service

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/145/story_14593_1.html

On May 19, 2004 Religion News Service reported, "Catholics who vote for politicians who support abortion rights or gay marriage will be banned from Communion until they have 'recanted their positions' and confessed their sin, a Colorado bishop warned. Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs said any Catholic who does not reflect church teaching in the voting booth 'makes a mockery of that faith and belies his identity as a Catholic.' Sheridan's May 1 directive is believed to be the first in the nation that would apply to voters the same controversial sanctions proposed by some bishops against abortion-rights Catholic politicians. It is also one of the most drastic -- equating a particular vote with sinful activity. Sheridan's order applies only to his diocese of 785,000 Catholics. 'As in the matter of abortion, any Catholic politician who would promote so-called `same-sex marriage' and any Catholic who would vote for that political candidate place themselves outside the full communion of the church and may not receive Holy Communion until they have recanted their positions and been reconciled by the Sacrament of Penance,' Sheridan said."