Being a Confessional Lutheran, I don't pretend to know a whole lot abut the internal workings of Roman Catholicism, but I understand that the Jesuits don't screw around when it comes to doctrinal matters.  For a practicing Catholic to be denied access to the communion rail is pretty serious business; for that denial to be in the form of a personal order from the Holy Father himself . . . well, let's just say that I can't imagine the politico who'd be happy to have that black spot sitting on his/her record.