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Unless those priests signed their responses, that 2002 poll was an anonymous survey, and we're still talking about secret sin. If they were open --- preaching, for example --- that sodomy and abortion were not sins, I would be shocked if they were not suspended. That's not to deny moral corruption among the Catholic clergy. I think that rather than open moral dissent, what you'll find is corrupt priests living a secret double life, and in public, they rely on equivocation, ambiguity, wing-nod and silence --- in other word, hypocrisy and cowardice --- rather than overt, in-your-face moral apostasy. In my diocese (Knoxville) a few years back, two such priests were instantly fired from all assignments and suspended a divinis as soon as our Bishop saw what was up.` Seriously, you do not need to be openly preaching, for example --- that sodomy and abortion were not sins, when you publicly affirm those that do as members in life and in death, and even defend their right to the Catholic Eucharist (its aberration being a different issue).

Pope Benedict even graciously responded to a letter from Teddy K. piously stating that he “never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings” of his church, and tried to be a faithful Catholic, etc.. Not a word of remorse about supporting abortion or promoting homosexual rights - which were part of his fight against discrimination, or promoting indolence and a welfare state.

And what see from the report of the papal response is no chastisement, but it read in part: "The Holy Father ... was saddened to know of your illness, and has asked me to assure you of his concern and his spiritual closeness. He is particularly grateful for your promise of prayers for him and for the needs of the universal church.

"His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God our merciful father. He invokes upon you the consolation and peace promised by the risen Savior to all who share in his sufferings and trust in his promise of eternal life.."

"Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord." (http://www.thebostonpilot.com/articleprint.asp?id=10800

And who was given a church funeral, as was Chavez, Mayor Menino, etc, thus showing their interpretation of canon law. Who needs to be openly preaching that sodomy and abortion are not sins when publicly known promoters of such are not Biblically disciplined but even graciously affirmed as members?

Catholics who procure abortions and those who formally cooperate with them are excommunicated latae sentenciae (automatically).

According to Canon Law, the onus to exclude unrepentant grave sinners from Communion lies both with the minister of the Eucharist (person who distributes Communion) and with the offenders themselves.

Can. 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.
Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.

That's Canon Law as it stands.

The utter failure to preach 916 and to enforce 915 is at the root of the dirty rotten scandal which is corrupting the souls of laity and clergy alike.

Good doctrine, bad (or no) disciple.