Posted on 05/09/2007 9:33:25 AM PDT by marshmallow
May. 9, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Catholic politicians who vote for legal abortion are subject to excommunication, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) told reporters during a May 9 flight from Rome to Brazil.
Fielding questions from reporters during the trip, the Holy Father was asked whether he supported the Mexican bishops who have announced the excommunication of politicians who voted to approve legalization of abortion in Mexico City. The Pontiff replied that he did.
"They did nothing new, nothing arbitrary or surprising," the Pope said of the Mexican bishops. "They simply announced to the public what is stipulated by the law of the Church."
Later the Vatican press director, Father Federico Lombardi, enlarged on the Pope's remarks during his own conversation with reporters. Father Lombardi pointed out to reporters that the Code of Canon Law provides the penalty of excommunication for anyone directly involved in abortion. That penalty would apply to politicians who support the legalization of abortion, he said.
The Vatican spokesman added that the excommunication in these cases is applied latae sententiae-- that is, automatically-- and does not require any public announcement. In making the penalty public, then, the Mexican bishops were only underlining the provisions of canon law.
I’m not catholic, but when I first saw this guy speak I knew he was going to be good...
"They did nothing new, nothing arbitrary or surprising," the Pope said of the Mexican bishops. "They simply announced to the public what is stipulated by the law of the Church."Speaker Mimi, please note well.
Why aren’t these folks excommunicated then? What if the American bishops were to really to do what the pope said? Mass excommunications of American politicians would sure be taking the right stand.
This is really good news. I wonder how much discretion the local Bishop has in this.
Because a lot of the US Bishops are lefties.
“Are” ex-comunicated, or “would be” ex-communicated?
That might be a bit of a surprise to MANY democrats in the US if he actually threw them out: Pelosi, Kennedy, Biden, Kerry, ..... and about 15 others ALL USE the Catholic (pro-unioin, pro-poor, pro-UN) vote to stay in power.
Does the Holy Father's pronouncement also apply to Kennedy, Durban, Pelosi, Kerry and other Catholic baby-killers?
If so, is there some way to get the word out?
Finally, does anybody have a listing of the so-called Catholics in Congress who support abortion?
So we can sue Pelosi the next time she claimst to be Catholic?
The Pope has done a great thing. Awesome.
I take back somewhat my harsh comments on him, which I made regarding his meeting with Khatami...
They are excommunicated. The American bishops don't have to "do" anything. Did you read the article?
Here is the relevant quote; "The Vatican spokesman added that the excommunication in these cases is applied latae sententiae-- that is, automatically-- and does not require any public announcement."
That's the whole point. No declaration is required for the excommunication to be effective.
Voting for legislation that legalizes abortions that were previously illegal or legislation that funds abortions would qualify as knowingly assisting others in a directly procured abortion.
(2) Such an excommunication by its nature is automatic and does not need to be formally pronounced.
(3) American politicians who support abortion may hide behind the legal technicality that they have not assisted anyone in procuring a direct abortion, on the grounds that the USSC did the actual dirty work of legalizing abortion 34 years ago.
(4) So, as always, it comes down to the question: is the American episcopate willing to actually enforce the excommunications that American politicians have already incurred? And the answer is, as always: Two or three will, hundreds won't.
No need to scold. Perhaps my wording was inartful. Perhaps I should have said a public announcement reiterating that fact and a denial of participation in sacraments for all said politicians. Better?
They already are, automatically. That's what latae sententiae signifies in canon law.
What if the American bishops were to really to do what the pope said?
That's the problem. The episcopate will not enforce the law.
I wasn’t flaming.....you said it perfectly.
Well... from Missouri:
Claire McCasKILL is Catholic and pro abortion. She just had the problem with not being allowed to speek at her daughters Catholic school within the last week.
You betcha!
By definition, they already are. It just needs to be publicized.
What about Catholics who vote for these pro-abort politicians? Are they also excommunicated? I know you can’t prove who someone voted for, but are they technically immune?
Why aren’t these folks excommunicated then?
Yes they are.
If anyone has a list of Catholic office-holders it would sure shake some cages for the names of the automatically excommunicated to be publicized.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.