The implied answer, of course, being "nothing". Thanks bishop. That's a tad too defensive there on the come back for my liking. Usually indicative of a nerve having been hit. What he's saying in effect is "don't tell me how to do my job........ take care of your own."
I'm not a bishop so I can't claim any pastoral charism but it seems to me there needs to be a graded and progressive approach to this issue as far as Catholic public figures are concerned. First there should be private discussions on this topic between pastor and politician. If this fails, then a public denunciation is warranted. Finally, if this in turn draws a blank, all other avenues being exhausted, it seems that withdrawal of Holy Communion would be the last resort. But to flatly rule it out seems to me to indicate to the public figure that this is not a truly serious issue and that the individual is not placing his or her eternal salvation in jeopardy.
The USCCB is fond of putting out missives about how things should be done. How about a coordinated plan of action for dealing with recalcitrant, pro-abortion CINOs in public office. That is, after they have finished their ramblings about immigration, the budget, the environment and all the other hot button issues.
The bishop has the option of taking to the pulpit and saying plainly that because the abortion law in the United States is so extreme that it is totally incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
I'm sorry, FRiend, because I agree with you almost all the time. However, God will sift the wheat from the chaff. And, for those who have much, much will be expected. The Archbishop surely knows those lines of Scripture. The Lord will deal with him; all we can do is pray for him each and every day that he is guided by the Holy Spirit and that he is talking to these individuals in a pastoral way behind the scenes.