Incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to showcase her faith at Mass

Vivificat! - News, Opinions, Commentary, from a Personal Catholic Perspective ^ | 26 December 2006 | Teófilo

[Teófilo]

The problem is that she's a militant pro-abortionist.

Folks, this from the American Life League:

As House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a pro-abortion legislator who claims the Catholic faith, prepares to celebrate her new role, American Life League is imploring Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. to intervene in an effort to prevent her from using the Mass for political gain. "Rep. Pelosi has been unwavering in her support for abortion and is downright defiant toward the Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "It is shameful that Trinity College, a supposedly Catholic institution, has turned a blind eye to the heretical views Pelosi embraces."

On January 3, Rep. Pelosi is scheduled to attend Mass at Trinity College in Washington as an endorsement of her alma mater and her Catholic faith. Given Pelosi's outspoken support of abortion, Mrs. Brown has written to Archbishop Wuerl requesting that he do all in his power to stop the event. "Rep. Pelosi has a tremendous opportunity to make a difference for all human beings as the most powerful Catholic in Congress," said Brown. "Unfortunately, she continually supports the very act that destroys life rather than protects it. It is for this very reason that a Catholic institution should not condone or support her position as a legislator."

American Life League has consistently urged Catholic bishops to uphold Church teaching by denying Holy Communion to those public figures who condone the crime of abortion. "Allowing Rep. Pelosi to receive honor at a Catholic college sends mixed signals about what the Catholic Church teaches," said Brown. "The bottom line is, abortion kills a living human being created in the image and likeness of God and is therefore always wrong. Because of this truth, it is unconscionable for Rep. Pelosi to call herself a Catholic in good standing while supporting the heinous act of abortion. We are hopeful that Archbishop Wuerl will intercede in this situation and prevent Rep. Pelosi from adding to an ongoing scandal."

Commentary. Here we go again. Catholic-In-Name-Only (CINO) politicians get the upper hand, and then think that the will of the voters give them ample cover to make a mockery of one of the principal (and principled) moral demands of the Catholic faith, and that is the defense of the Right to Life for everyone, starting at conception. The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states:

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Formulating legislation that protects and/or expands the so-called right to an abortion, or resistance to modify, restrict, or abolish current legislation enabling abortion is "formal cooperation," and as such, whoever commits this crime is subject to excommunication.

If Ms. Pelosi is cuddled because of her status, these words will not be worth the paper they are printed on. We need to take a prophetic stance, from the humblest of believers to the most exalted prelate in our country that, in favor of the Culture of Life. Ms. Pelosi must not be allowed to use the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to earn political points.

- Check out Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's record On the Issues.

[Teófilo]

Blunders. Typos. Mine.

[Teófilo]

PING!

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Why hasn't she been ex-communicated for her pro-abortion stand?

[Suzy Quzy]

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH...and for the odious Pelosi.

[Teófilo]

Why hasn't she been ex-communicated for her pro-abortion stand?

Few people want to discuss seriously if a pro-abortion politician is a formal enabler, or not. It is my personal and lay opinion that such a person *is* an enabler. But my opinion will not move others who believe they have weightier reasons to do nothing, to do something, anything, to take a clear stance.

-Theo

[Dog Gone]

Unless the Church takes this seriously, which it certainly has not, it deserves as much criticism as Pelosi is getting.

What's the point of saying it deserves excommunication, when the Church won't do it? How is she running afoul of the Church position?

You're not committing Pass Interference unless the referees call it.

[Teófilo]

What's the point of saying it deserves excommunication, when the Church won't do it? How is she running afoul of the Church position?

My guess is that senior prelates are seen criticizing senior politicians will jeopardize the freedom of the Church to operate in this country. The Church's stance will immediately be miscontrued as a political stance. Many evil people will take advantage of that impression to polarize the Church and negate the Magisterium.

I figure that our senior leaders are choosing the least of two evils: on one side, a more nuanced criticism will preserve the Church's freedom of action and integrity; on the other, a more outspoken, even personal denunciation may lead to chaos, schism, and enforced silence.

I don't have to like their choice, but I understand it.

-Theo

[Dog Gone]

I don't get it. That's a defense of cowardice.

This country has no track record of limiting a church's ability to operate in this country based on their stance regarding abortion.

The Catholic Church either doesn't believe what it says, or it's too "nuanced" to put words into actions.

In Texas, we call either approach, "all hat, no cattle."

[sionnsar]

The problem is that she's a militant pro-abortionist.

There are many of us non-RCs watching... and praying for courage and right action.

[Joseph DeMaistre]

Showcasing that's the key. This is just for show. Pelosi is a militant secularist engaging in politicking of the worst kind.

[lastchance]

I think I will now be sick.

[sitetest]

Dear Teófilo,

The difficulty is that her participation, like that of other pro-abortion Catholic politicians, even if formal, is remote.

Another fellow from out in California, I believe, has tried to take the tack that these folks should be excommunicated because their positions represent heresy, and once they are properly informed, they become formal heretics.

However, the status of those claims is, at best, murky.


sitetest

[evad]

Those eyes...those eyes...argggghhhh....

[sitetest]

Dear Teófilo,

I think that you're too kind.

I think that mostly it boils down to politics and cowardice.

Politics in that many of our bishops are otherwise sympathetic to left-wing politics, and hate that most of the folks with whom they feel the greatest affinity are also a bunch of pro-aborts.

And cowardice in that many of our prelates enjoy the company of the social circles in which many of the left-wing politicians travel, and they do not wish to be excluded therefrom as a result of correctly disciplining the pro-abort Catholic politicians.

Sorry if that sounds altogether too cynical.


sitetest

[Teófilo]

I don't get it. That's a defense of cowardice.

I'm not defending anything. I said I understood it.

This country has no track record of limiting a church's ability to operate in this country based on their stance regarding abortion.

The Catholic Church is not "any church." Hence, normal rules don't always apply.

The Catholic Church either doesn't believe what it says, or it's too "nuanced" to put words into actions.

The Catholic Church is bigger than her prelates, and she includes many other faithful people. The Church will do what is right. She always does.

-Theo

[Teófilo]

I think I will now be sick.

Well, at least I spared you her picture in its true size.

:-)

-Theo

[Teófilo]

Another fellow from out in California, I believe, has tried to take the tack that these folks should be excommunicated because their positions represent heresy, and once they are properly informed, they become formal heretics.

I am familiar with De Fide's activism. Not much has happened since last Summer, that we know off.

These matters need to be hammered out. My point is that there seems to be little interest to pursue the matter with rigor.

-Theo

[Teófilo]

Sorry if that sounds altogether too cynical.

I understand your point. Nevertheless, the Church is an object of faith. She transcends the fear, timidity, and even ineptitude of her members and/or shepperds.

I believe in the Church.

-Theo

[mware]

I know if it was Cardinal O Connor she would not be setting foot in St Patrick's in NYC. MY goodness, he had to be dead for Clinton to set foot there.

[353FMG]

"..our prelates enjoy the company of the social circles in which many of the left-wing politicians travel.."

That's the whole crux of the matter.