I've only somewhat digested the article, but it appears that the Vatican response does not identify any person by name. I'm sure that will provide plenty of opportunity for Kerry and others to claim (wrongly) that the response was not directed at them and that they believe (again, wrongly) that they remain in good standing with the Church.
Dear el_chupacabra,
Mr. Balestrieri filed a case specifically against Mr. Kerry in the ecclesiastical court of the Archdiocese of Boston.
He personally asked two questions of the Congregation of Doctrine and Faith (CDF) whether a Catholic politician who upholds the legal right to abortion is automatically excommunicated.
The CDF asked an American theologian to reply to Mr. Balestrieri. The theologian replied in the affirmative.
There isn't a lot of wiggle room, as the the theologian specifically holds that the "personally opposed... but can't impose my morality by law," opinion is heresy and formal adherence to this view incurs automatic excommunication.
I'm sure Mr. Kerry (and Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Pataki, and others) will go down swinging, refusing to recognize the truth of this. I'm also reasonably sure we will not see Thunder from the Vatican prior to Nov 2 concerning this.
But I think in the not-too-distant future, it will become clear that pro-abort Catholics have read themselves out of the Catholic Church. Officially.
sitetest