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As a religion, Catholicism has a belief system and dogma and doctrine. The Catholic dogma on abortion is that it is the taking of innocent human life. That is believed by Catholics, according to the Church's interpretation of the natural law, to be an intrinsic evil. Matters of beliefs and practices are matters of the faith and wrong for the Faithful. An intrinsic evil is WRONG and must be denounced. The Church cannot, nor should it, exercise civil control, beyond its right to petition the govt. But the Church has every right and responsibility to denounce the actions of its nominal members who, PUBLICLY,deny the teachings of the Faith. One does not have to be Catholic, but if one chooses that path, one cannot publicly deny and act against its Dogma and Doctrine.

Catholic dogma also teaches that idolatry is an intrinsic evil. Now, I have no problem with the Church excommunicating members, even politicians, who advocate having an abortion even if the unborn poses no unjust threat to innocent life nor is a foreign invader (note that since it is okay to kill born people who are unjust threats to innocent life or who are foreign invaders, the same justification may be used for killing unborn), or bowing down to a statue of the Blessed Virgin. Abortion (in most cases) and idolatry (in all cases) are sins. But I definitely have a problem with the Church telling Catholic politicians that they must use their political power to make sure that no American can have an abortion or worship an idol.

And on a last note, let’s change your words and see how good that looks...

“But I definitely have a problem with the Church telling Catholic politicians that they must use their political power to make sure that no American can have an abortion or worship an idol.” Your words.

Now look at it...
“But I definitely have a problem with the Church telling Catholic politicians that they must use their political power to make sure that no American can murder their three year old or worship an idol.”

Why is there a difference here? If you are Catholic, you believe that one is a human being from the moment of conception. Therefore, by allowing an “American” to abort her child, you are allowing that woman to murder her child.

And why aren’t you, a Catholic, stating that murdering a human being is wrong? You are thinking of the “American” mother and not the “American” child? What’s up with that?

“But I definitely have a problem with the Church telling Catholic politicians that they must use their political power to make sure that no American can have an abortion or worship an idol.”

It doesn’t tell them that. It only says that they can no longer be a Catholic...

Idolatry is not intrinsically evil in the same sense. A worship of an idol does not by itself harm or end innocent life. It is a crime against God, but not against another life. Can the Church excommunicate a nominal Catholic for idolatry? Of course, but it can and would not take action against a non Catholic who practiced it or against a Catholic who facilitated it. Facilitating the taking of innocent life is another matter entirely.

Catholic politicians are free to choose their path. If the Church can excommunicate, and be praised, a politician who opposed integration, the excommunication of those who facilitate abortion is quite defensible. No proof can be offered that the pre birth fetus is not human life. Because such proof is impossible the Church holds that it must be treated as human. For the Church, proof of humanness is not necesary. For the pro choice believer, proof of humanness is necessary. Which position, if proven wrong, is the most harmful, the Church? The pro choice?