Asked about the archbishop’s decision, Giuliani, considered by majority of Republican voters to have the best chance of defeating Hilary Clinton, did not see it as religious interference in political affairs. It was just the prelate’s personal opinion as much as his stand on abortion rights was a personal opinion. That’s the way it is in a democracy.

All the same, US presidential aspirants from both parties are rather articulate about their faith and moral values, probably brought about since Republicans made beliefs an election issue. John F. Kennedy surmounted it but George W. Bush won the evangelist and Catholic votes. Republican politicians are squarely against abortion.

There is a Catholic and religious vote in America, although there’s none here in our predominantly Catholic country. Besides, all our candidates are pro-God, pro-country, pro-people and pro-life. But in the US, abortion is a raging issue.

What’s curious, however, about Archbishop Burke’s uncompromising stand is that he will administer the host to Catholic candidates who are for the death penalty and preemptive war, considering them as "complicated issues." But the Vatican’s opposition to the death penalty and preemptive war is quite clear.

Giuliani took great pains to stress not only his Catholic faith but his theological knowledge, having had four years of theology in college. But he would not debate with the archbishop, preferring to leave the question of whether he is a good practicing Catholic to the judgment of priests.

Ex-communication was scrapped long ago, but archbishops like Burke – even priests, for that matter – believe they have the sacred power to deny the sacraments to laity.