Posted on 05/21/2014 11:44:07 AM PDT by NYer
The distinguished canonist Ed Peters weighs in on what Sr. Jeannine Gramick did.
She signed a public letter asking the most pro-abortion President we have ever seen, Pres. Obama, to work to expand abortion throughout the world. HERE
The best defense is no offense
by Dr. Edward Peters
Athletes often quip that “the best defense is a good offense” meaning that, if one scores more points than does the other side, what does it matter how many points the other side scores? I’d like to offer a canonical variant on that: “the best defense is no offense” meaning that, if ecclesiastical authority fails to prosecute wrong-doers, what does it matter how guilty they are?Sr. Jeannine Gramick, a chronically controversial Loretto religious, has signed a public letter to President Obama expressly urging him (as if he needed urging) to fund abortion overseas. In her letter Gramick claims the mantle of ‘leader of a faith-based organization’, declares it “immoral” not to pay for overseas abortions, asserts that paying for abortions is a “moral imperative”, and signs the letter “In Faith.”
Canon 1369 of the Johanno-Pauline Code states: “A person who in a public show or speech, in published writing, or in other uses of the instruments of social communication utters blasphemy, gravely injures good morals, expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church is to be punished with a just penalty” (emp. added). Gramick’s open letter urging, as a moral imperative no less, the funding of deliberate pre-natal homicide, satisfies, in my opinion, the elements of this canonical crime and suffices to launch a criminal investigation of her under Canon 1717. As I have noted in many similar cases, Gramick has not, on these facts, violated Canon 1398 (on abortion) and the question of her (in)eligibility for holy Communion under Canon 915 is not a criminal matter. At the same time, though, besides her egregious letter to Obama, Gramick’s other public writings on Church doctrine and discipline can, and should, be examined in light of Canon 1369.
As a religious, Gramick is immediately answerable to her superiors, of course, but the diocesan bishop of her place of domicile or quasi-domicile (c. 102) has jurisdiction over her in regard to penal matters (c. 1408, and see c. 1412). The “just penalty” envisioned under Canon 1369 is intentionally flexible so as to enable its application under a variety of circumstances but, in my opinion, that penalty could not be excommunication; obstinance, however, in the face of earlier sanctions could be used to increase subsequent penalties (cc. 1326 § 1, 1°, and 1393).
Of course, if Gramick is not called to account for her pro-abortion, etc., writings, what matters how canonically guilty she might be for them? Who needs a good defense when confronted by no offense?
Not holding my breath, ping!
Give her communion on the tongue anyway just like Pelosi, Kerry, Biden, Kennedy Cuomo etc etc etc. It's the Catholic thing to do.
Note the resemblance of her jacket to Yassar Arafat’s do-rag.
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Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND |
Homosexuality (New Ways Ministry). Formally notified of her error by the Vatican and removed from her position. |
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Jeannine Gramick, SSND |
Supporter of Catholic Organizations for Renewal (National Coalition of American Nuns). |
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Lisa Sowle Cahill |
Complains about the Vatican's Formal Notification for Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND and Fr. Robert Nugent, SDS. |
Jeannine Gramick - will display an 82-minute film about her disobedience to the Vatican regarding gay and lesbian Catholic teaching and "ministry."
The Catholic church obviously has a big problem with church discipline. What does it take to be excommunicated? She, Pelosi, all the molesters, etc., certainly deserve it.
All working out to the delight of the VII progressives/modernists and guess who else? Satan himself.
The local Bishop is the one who will excommunicate an individual.
Essentially she has excommunicated herself by taking these stands for homosexuality and abortion.
Poor thing doesn’t realize what “eternal damnation” means.
I can only conclude that “Sister” Jeannine Gramick is apparently hoping that her letter will make her next year’s recipient of the “Margaret Sanger Award” from Planned Parenthood.
Lol! or, even better, a card carrying member of NARAL.
She is probably already a NARAL member.
CINO - Catholic in Name Only
The problem is that the Church has lost its backbone and will to silence dissent. The magisterium appears to not want to offend anyone; maybe because the echos of the Inquisition where the suppression of heresy went way too far is affecting their ability to decisively excommunicate these people.
There has to be a balance and people who are practicing genuine heresy ought to be thrown out of the Church.
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