The issue that won't go away [Abortion and Politicians]

CatholicCulture.org ^ | Aug. 23, 2008 | Phil Lawler

[Salvation]

The issue that won't go away Posted Aug. 23, 2008 9:36 AM

|| by Phil Lawler || category Commentary

With another pro-abortion Catholic on the Democratic national ticket, we can be quite sure that the issue will not go away this year.

It's remarkable: 25 years after Roe v. Wade, there's no realistic prospect for overturning that appalling decision, at least in the short term. There's no federal legislation currently under consideration that would ban abortion or even significantly curtail the slaughter of the unborn. Nevertheless it continues to be an important issue in every national campaign. 

In an odd way, the Obama-Biden ticket might be helpful to the pro-life movement, insofar as both Democratic candidates have been willing to discuss the question of whether or not human life begins at conception. (Biden has acknowledged that it does.) Any public discussion of that issue can only help the pro-life cause, because the scientific facts are hard to deny.

Biden's presence on the ticket also ensures a fresh debate on whether or not pro-abortion Catholic politicians should receive Communion. On that issue, too, the discussion can only be helpful. Even if most American prelates shy away from the obligations of canon law, the bold few who recognize their duty will bear powerful witness.

The status quo in American today allows unrestricted abortion on demand. The Democratic standard-bearers will protect that status quo, and it's not at all clear that the GOP contenders will attack it. Still the issue will be discussed. And as long as the discussion continues, the pro-life movement can take hope. Over time, truth inevitably erodes the power of lies. 

[Salvation]

Continuing with the discussion of the abortion issue.

[Salvation]

Our Lady's Warriors.Dissent>Speakers and Authors

Abortion and Euthanasia
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE)	Catholic politician who votes for abortion in contradiction to Church teachings. One of American Life League's "Deadly Dozen."

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

It's a teaching moment. The electorate needs to be educated on the issue and on embryonic stem cell research and euthanasia. Archbishops Chaput, Wuerl, and Egan stepped up to the plate. They need to follow through.

The position of Biden, Pelosi, Kennedy, and John Kerry needs to be repudiated. The duties of Catholics in civic life to protect innocent life and to speak the truth about the sanctity of human life must be explained and taught clearly. Those politicians who refuse to conform to church teaching on this should suffer penalties including excommunication.

The Church MUST NOT back down this time. Too many lives are at stake in this election.

[Salvation]

I agree, and from all the FR links posted above, some from LATimes and Newsweek, the coverage has been breath-taking!

This issue has turned into a major election issue, and I think we can thank many Catholics who have contacted their Bishops.

BTW, there is a voting guide available on USCCB. Haven’t really looked at it yet, but I got one.

[paguch]

This is the most important problem facing the Catholic Church in America. Every Democrat Senator, 16, supports and most promote abortion in defiance of the Church.

Democrat politicians are leading the moral positioning of the church, not the Bishops. We all heard Nancy Pelosi on Meet The Press. Some Bishops have corrected her but not all by far. She was bragging today that in her Diocese she was in good standing.

The Bishops must step forward and restore their authority.

Should receiving communion be the only measure? What about Catholic burial?

[Salvation]

Bishops are stepping forward in authority. Even Pelosi’s!!!
Read the linked FR articles about all the Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinals that have spoken out.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2068773/posts?page=4#4

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

No Catholic burial for politicians who spent their lives promoting abortion and embryonic stem cell research. That’s basic common sense. No Catholic burial for Ted Kennedy, Pelosi or the rest.

[Aliska]

It might make some difference, some libs were talking about it. But the bishops are sending a mixed message by not presenting a united front.

If a woman who procures an abortion is excommunicated latae sententiae, why not abortion pols who enabled it? Maybe it is already in your list, can't easily get back to look at all the links now.

Here's another link, Abortion and Excommunication

Exerpt: "Canon 751: “Heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt after the reception of baptism of some truth which is to be believed by divine and Catholic faith; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.”

I'd be shaking in my boots if I were some of these to be rebuked publicly like that by a bishop, but that is just me.

I'm watching the DNC on CNN live feed, all so negative. Apart from the instant and most critical issue, life itself, there are lots out there who aren't buying what the dems are selling, don't know what the mood will be after tonight.

[Salvation]

That’s a great link. Thanks.

[Salvation]

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2271  (618 bytes )  preview document matches 1 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2271.htm

97%

2:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2272  (580 bytes )  preview document matches 2 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2272.htm

96%

3:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2322  (290 bytes )  preview document matches 2 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2322.htm

96%

4:	CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2274  (554 bytes )  preview document matches gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2274.htm

[Aliska]

Good work with the catechism, nice it's online and searchable. I don't know why, but it wasn't encouraged in our diocese, so it's just a wild guess, but I'm thinking many Catholics think it's "optional" or "Catholic talking points". Far from it.

I googled for that link, glad to oblige, was trying to put my thoughts into logical order there, no east feat, especially tonight, got CNN going in bg, multi-tasking lol.

Keep up the good work!

[cpforlife.org]

Francis Schaffer wrote in one of his books: “Above the door of every abortion clinic should be a sign that reads ‘open by permission of the local church’”

We can expand that truth to say that the entire cult of death, from abortion and euthanasia to homo “marriage” has happened due to the apathy of the leaders of the Christian churches across this nation. They permitted it to start and they are permitting it to continue to this day.

We have had some victories without them and Roe may even be overturned without them. But the culture of death will never be defeated without the full cooperation of the leaders of the Christian Churches.

[Salvation]

**‘open by permission of the local church’”**

Good point.

We need to keep praying to shut them down.

[8mmMauser]

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