The pastor of a South Carolina church refused to give Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden the sacrament of Holy Communion Sunday.
Biden attended St. Anthony's Catholic Church for Mass during a campaign stop in Pee Dee, South Carolina, WPDE reported.
St. Anthony's pastor, the Rev. Robert Morey, said he denied Holy Communion to Biden because of his opinion on abortion.
"Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to Former Vice President Joe Biden. Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church," Morey said in a statement. "Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching. As a priest, it is my responsibility to minister to those souls entrusted to my care, and I must do so even in the most difficult situations. I will keep Mr. Biden in my prayers."
Biden was in South Carolina last weekend for a town hall meeting at a high school in Florence and a criminal justice forum in Columbia.
The Biden campaign declined to comment, saying it was a private matter.
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