Activists Push Church to Excommunicate Pro-choice Candidate

The Detroit News ^ | August 27, 2002 | Joel Kurth

[happytobealive]

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP -- Anti-abortion activists have launched a small but vocal movement to excommunicate pro-choice Attorney General Jennifer Granholm from the Roman Catholic Church.

Since early June, a group of 10-30 protesters have picketed outside of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Plymouth Township, where the Democratic nominee for governor is a member. Foes say Granholm is a heretic because she is Catholic yet adamantly pro-choice.

[happytobealive]

ABORTION PARISH Ping

[big'ol_freeper]

We need to be more vocal in driving these politicians from our midst.

[07055]

"Jennifer Granholm appears at campaign stops with a Bible in her hand, but she's not following what it says," Stephens said.

I wonder if Bill Clinton lent her that really big Bible he used to carry around in 1998? It hasn't been seen since the Senate voted to acquit.

[07055]

Well, women who have abortions are already automatically excommunicated. I don't understand why Catholic abortion doctors and politicians who vote for partial birth abortions aren't excommunicated too?

[happytobealive]

This summary is from "FREEP the Abortion Parish This Morning" which was posted Sunday morning:

SUPPORT THE PRO-LIFE GROUND TROOPS WITH YOUR LONG-RANGE E-MAILS, PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS. It’s Sunday morning and pro-life protesters are at full force pricking the consciences of the churchgoers at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, Michigan. Why don't we have messages waiting for the parish staff as they return from mass. Surely the Cardinal also would want to hear from us.


SITUATION SUMMARY:

Jennifer Grandholm, pro-abortion gubernatorial candidate, is a lector at the parish. On August 4, the Associate Pastor, Fr. Doc Ortman, published an essay in the parish bulletin saying a person’s views on abortion should have no bearing on their standing in the Church, and that in fact Jesus is pro-choice (http://www3.catholicweb.com/bulletins/59371/Aug-04-2002.pdf).

Witnesses for the unborn had already been protesting parish masses for some time, but Fr. Ortman’s heretical support of Ms. Grandholm increased their numbers (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/737686/posts).

The pastor, John J. Sullivan, and the Deacon, Timothy P. Sullivan, have since both published articles in the bulletin saying that the parish is pro-life in that broadminded way that encompasses all the many forms that life takes, but they did not challenge any of Fr. Ortman’s abortion apologetics. Perhaps, then, it is just a matter of heaping up enough hot school lunches, elderly drug benefits, and mass transit to achieve that genial Christian balance against the welfare of those 42 million unseen children.

Borrowing from the "New York Times Guide to Word Usuage", the pastor spends a sentence assuring us that the parish is indeed "anti-abortion", but hastens to inform us in some detail that he has spoken with the police and can have us arrested if we stray off "the strip of grass between North Territorial Road and the side walk". He encourages his guys not to "respond to antagonism" or "return harassment" for then the parishioners would sink to the protester's level and even "further smother a spirit of Peace". Everything will work out though, for they "have a powerful tool at [their] disposal, and that is the power of prayer" (Erasing any doubts, I suppose, in whose tent Yahweh can be found strategizing). (http://www3.catholicweb.com/bulletins/59371/Aug-11-2002.pdf)

More distressingly, Adam Cardinal Maida has not taken a public stand against this very public heresy. In fact, the only criticism he has leveled (through his spokesman) has been directed at the picketers’ tactics. Apparently the Cardinal’s teaching is that the protesters would more effectively combat this flagrant affront to a fundamental Catholic principle if they were not seen (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/737793/posts).

Last February, Cardinal Maida did speak (through a spokesperson) about Ms. Granholm’s fitness with regard to another controversy. The Cardinal's office said that there was no reason Ms. Granholm couldn’t speak to a Catholic youth group at St. Raphael Parish in Westland, as she is a “Catholic in good standing” and is not “pro-abortion per se, but [rather] does not think abortion should be illegal”.

Apparently it all worked out because Sr. Patricia Donnelly, SC, Director of Religious Education, said that “she gave a very good spiritual talk to the children. The way she did it, she really grasped the attention of the youth, by telling them how to be good.” (http://www.credopub.com/archives/2000/iss20000228/20000228p08.htm).

Perhaps not unrelated to this saga are two other incidents that the author happened upon in his research:

1) Cardinal Maida arranged for a special 2-hour mass for Presidential candidate Gore, allowing him to speak after the homily for 15 minutes while smiling clergy served as background for a network photo op (http://www.mich.com/~buffalo/girouxoped.html).

2) This year the Cardinal ignored pleadings from orthodox Catholics to disallow a gay Valentines Day Dance at Marygrove College, saying (through a spokesman) that “he will not get involved”. The dance had also been ignored the previous 6 years. (http://detnews.com/2002/religion/0202/14/d01-416299.htm).


CONTACT INFORMATION:

His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida / Archdiocese Of Detroit / 1234 Washington Blvd. / Detroit, MI 48226-1825 / Phone: (313) 237-5816 / Fax: (313) 237-4642 / pr.office@aod.org

Rev. John J. Sullivan / Pastor / Our Lady of Good Counsel Church / 47650 North Territorial Road / Plymouth, MI 48170 / Phone: (734) 453-0326 / Fax: (734) 416-9257 / To E-Mail Fr. John: counsel-frjohn@ic.net

Rev. Doc Ortman / Associate Pastor / To E-mail Father Doc: counsel-frdoc@ic.net

Deacon Tim Sullivan / Phone: (734) 502-1818 / timpsullivan@prodigy.net

[happytobealive]

ASSOCIATE PASTOR TELLS WHY ABORTION CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR IS A PARISIONER IN GOOD STANDING:

Many people have come to me in the two weeks just past to ask about television ads which point out that Ms. Granholm, our sister, is pro choice. The concern has come from a mistaken notion that being pro choice is equal to being pro abortion. However, choice is part of the very foundation of our Catholic Christian Community. There are some who would gloss over theological reflection for the sake of emotion; these people often end up persecuting other brothers and sisters through their ignorance. As disciples of the Lord Jesus we are required to pray for their good, and for their enlightenment.

The Lord God has created all people in absolute freedom. Every action we take, each word we utter, is a matter of choice. As Catholic Christians we understand that this Awesome freedom carries with it a grave responsibility. In the light of the teaching of Jesus we make choices according to a well formed conscience – a conscience which is founded in the gospel which proclaims the blessedness of all people in any circumstances.

Scripture tells us that when God was finished creating, everything was very good. The correct response to that good is a life which reverences and cares for all that God has made. This is our faith, and I know well that this is also Ms. Granholm's faith as a Roman Catholic Christian person.

To say that one is pro choice is, for the Christian community, an admission that we are created in freedom. This is a freedom that no state or government can grant or take away; it is a gift from the Creator. By the same understanding it is a grave error to assume that the ability to freely choose actions and words is sinful.

For the past several weeks we have been persecuted by people who are living with a misguided notion of the freedom in which we are created. These people, signs in hand, are not interested in the reverence of God's gift of life; they are concerned only with the threat of abortion. This is one small part of the reverence we are called to have for all that the Lord has Created. These people would have the state legislate the freedom that only God can give or take. The reverence of all life is a choice that we make according to our discipleship. It is a response to the love of God, in Jesus, which leads us to reverence the unborn, the challenged, the elderly , the sick, the brilliant, the talented, the humble, the simple, the peacemakers . . . you get the idea.

Those who regard Ms. Granholm as a "heretic" do not understand, nor do they wish to understand, that choice in itself is a blessed gift. As with many other things this blessing can be used for evil rather than for blessing.

Make no mistake, Christians are pro choice in the purest understanding of the term. We are free to choose between the Lord and the evil one. We are fee to choose the Lord's abundant and awesome love, and we are free to choose to deny it. The ability to choose is neither good nor evil. The choice made may be either. Many persecute because they choose not to hear or understand the depth of God's gift of freedom. The freedom to choose is a gift in which to revel. It is not a heavy burden. The Lord has given us direction, and has asked that we CHOOSE according to what he says and does.

To borrow from the gospel . . .

"Let those with ears to hear heed what they hear!"

Grace and peace,

Doc

Source: http://www3.catholicweb.com/bulletins/59371/Aug-04-2002.pdf

[sitetest]

Dear 07055,

Anyone who directly effects the procurement of an abortion, and is Catholic, is automatically excommunicated. This includes the abortionist, and assisting nurses. It also includes boyfriends who drive the woman to the clinic, and parents who pay for it.

Catholic canon law interprets permissions broadly and penalties narrowly. Excommunication, being a serious penalty, is applied narrowly. Thus, those who don't directly effectively cause a specific abortion are not subject to excommunication.

Not that I'd have a problem with that.

But that's why Catholic politicians aren't automatically excommunicated for being pro-abortion.

sitetest

[happytobealive]

We need to be more vocal in driving these politicians from our midst.

Boy do we, but I can't even get my own family moving. If anybody has ideas on this, I'd like to hear them.

[jwalsh07]

Would not voting to keep PBA legal qualify under those parameters?

[EODGUY]

" Anti-abortion activists "

I don't know the political persuasion of the author or the Detroit News, but they cling to the archaic terminology of decades ago, I'm sure for effect.

How about Pro-Life activists Detroit??? Welcome to the new millenium!

[happytobealive]

I wonder if Bill Clinton lent her that really big Bible he used to carry around in 1998? It hasn't been seen since the Senate voted to acquit.

I doubt it's the exact same copy, as there are so many politicians that use them. Just the abortion Catholics alone would take a train load.

[sitetest]

Dear jwalsh07,

No, it wouldn't. Passing a law to permit something is not quite the same as actually procuring the thing itself.

I wish that pro-abortion Catholic politicians would feel more heat from the Church, but, as I said, permissions are interpreted generously, penalties narrowly.

sitetest

[happytobealive]

Anyone who directly effects the procurement of an abortion, and is Catholic, is automatically excommunicated. This includes the abortionist, and assisting nurses. It also includes boyfriends who drive the woman to the clinic, and parents who pay for it.

What are the ramifications of being excommunicated?

[happytobealive]

Does anybody out there have some more info about the abortion parish; this permissive cardinal; and protest info.

[NYer]

What are the ramifications of being excommunicated?

Those who are excommunicated are banned from partaking in the sacraments of the catholic church. That's pretty serious, in case you were wondering.

[jwalsh07]

OK thanks. I'm Catholic but not the best informed, obviously. :-}

[jwalsh07]

On second thought, it has always been my impression that individuals through their choices excommunicate themselves. The church simply acknowledges that fact. Am I wrong on that?

[daffyduct]

We do have a free choice...we can murder, steal, lie under oath and perform a multitude of sinful acts...but these are also illegal under our judicial system because they harm other people. Why is abortion different? A human person is just as dead in an abortion as when a Ward Weaver kidnaps, rapes and murders young girls. Any Priest, Deacon, Bishop or Cardinal who condons abortion or tries to rationalize the Pro-Choice agenda will answer to God Big Time! That is a promise by God himself in scripture, and God doesn't lie.

[Notwithstanding]

BREAKING NEWS: FR. ORTMAN ISSUED A PUBLIC WRITTEN APOLOGY AND ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS (IN THE BULLETIN)!!! It is far from an acceptable apology because he did not mention Granholm and referred to his prior column as "ambiguous" (of course it was overtly in conflict with doctrine), but it was very significant nonetheless, as it would not have happened without the public pressure.

Cardinal Maida needs to ban her from making any political or campaign appearances at any Catholic function or entity/parish/school/soup kitchen/youth center etc. and also break his ridiculous silence on the matter.

Tom Monaghan's law school - founded largely by professors who were fired for protesting at a Red Mass sponsored by Detroit Mercy Law School because a pro-abortion judge was the guest of honor - has the cardinal on its board and yet his public interest law firm is the one who paid for the attorney's who represented the picketers when the police confiscated their signs while protesting Granholm's parish.

It is all so filled with irony.