Cardinal: Giuliani agreed on communion

NEW YORK, April 29 (UPI) -- Cardinal Edward Egan of New York says former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani broke a secret pledge by receiving communion at a papal mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The cardinal's statement was issued Monday after conservative columnist Robert Novak said Egan and Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington are "disobedient" to Pope Benedict XVI, the New York Post reported. Novak suggested Giuliani and other pro-choice politicians, including Massachusetts Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, should be denied the sacrament.

"I deeply regret that Mr. Giuliani received the Eucharist during the papal visit here in New York," Egan said. "I will be seeking a meeting with him to insist that he abide by our understanding."

Sunny Mindel, a Giuliani spokeswoman, said the former mayor and former Republican presidential candidate, is willing to meet with the cardinal.

"As he has previously said, Mayor Giuliani's faith is a deeply personal matter and should remain confidential," Mindel added.

In addition to his views on abortion, Giuliani has violated Catholic practice by divorcing and remarrying.