When Pope Benedict XVI visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral last weekend for a Mass with U.S. priests and assorted New York dignitaries, many observers were trying to read the tea leaves about what (if anything) was meant by allowing former Gotham mayor Rudy Giuliani to receive Communion. Giuliani, you’ll recall, is an outspoken supporter of abortion rights.

Turns out he wasn’t supposed to receive the sacrament, and now Cardinal Edward Egan (who concelebrated the Mass) is furious. Egan says Giuliani violated their “understanding” that Giuliani was not to approach the altar rail, but looks like he did it anyway-right under Egan’s nose!

From the Archdiocese:

“The Catholic Church clearly teaches that abortion is a grave offense against the will of God. Throughout my years as Archbishop of New York, I have repeated this teaching in sermons, articles, addresses, and interviews without hesitation or compromise of any kind. Thus it was that I had an understanding with Mr. Rudolph Giuliani, when I became Archbishop of New York and he was serving as Mayor of New York, that he was not to receive the Eucharist because of his well-known support of abortion. I deeply regret that Mr. Giuliani received the Eucharist during the Papal visit here in New York, and I will be seeking a meeting with him to insist that he abide by our understanding.”

Now the New York Times is reporting that Egan wants a meeting to discuss Rudy’s intransigence. Would like to be a fly on the wall for that one.