[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?

[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

[Right To Life]

Well, women who have abortions are already automatically excommunicated.

Good. Pro-abort politicians need to be in the same ex-communicated boat.

[Arthur McGowan]

The excommunication occurs when there is formal, and direct collaboration in the abortion, and if the collaboration was necessary for the abortion to take place. Having the abortion, performing for it, paying for it, driving someone to an abortion mill--these are the types of collaboration in question. Politicians who vote to fund abortion, or who vote down restrictions on abortion--they are NOT good Catholics, but since it is impossible to point to a particular abortion and say that they caused THAT abortion, it is the common opinion of canonists that they don't incur the excommunication.

But "not having been excommunicated" is the lowest possible standard one could conceive of for being a "good Catholic." I'm sure there are plenty of people in Hell who never incurred an excommunication. To go to Hell all that is needed is mortal sin. And there's NO doubt that being pro-abortion in public office is a mortal sin--a whole collection of mortal sins.

[pray4liberty]

Well, women who have abortions are already automatically excommunicated.

Not exactly. Only the unrepentant (like Granholm) are considered excommunicated, or unworthy to receive the Eucharist. However, women who have confessed of this sin, repented and did penance will not be excommunicated.

Most become pro-life activists within the Church and minister to other post-abortive women. Otherwise, if you are excommunicated no matter what, the Church is basically saying you can't be saved no matter what you do or how sorry you are. And that is a lie that completely belies the whole purpose of the Passion of Christ. He came to save all sinners--yes, even women who have had abortions.

The Eucharist is meant to help the struggling, not be a reward for the perfect. ~Pray

[exmarine]

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?

It's probably due to the same moral corruption that allows pedophile priests to remain in the church. These are undoubtedly some courageous people who are standing up for the rights of the unborn and taking a stand against this corrupt woman -- but the catholic church leadership is not among them! Come out of her my people!!!